Cardinals WR Room Taking Shape: Harrison Growing, Wilson Emerging
There’s a quiet evolution happening in Arizona’s wide receiver room - and it’s starting to look like the Cardinals might be building something special on the perimeter.
Let’s start with Marvin Harrison Jr., the highly touted rookie who came into the league with sky-high expectations. According to wide receivers coach Drew Terrell, Harrison is beginning to find his rhythm - not just physically, but mentally.
“There were a lot of things he had to learn, he had to adapt his way of thinking,” Terrell said. “The biggest change I’ve seen is his mindset and how he thinks about football. He’s playing a more free style of football.”
That’s a significant development. For a young receiver with Harrison’s talent, the physical tools were never in question.
But the transition from college to the NFL is as much about processing speed and mental sharpness as it is about route-running and contested catches. If Harrison is starting to trust his instincts and play with more freedom, it’s a sign that the game is beginning to slow down for him - and that’s when special things can start to happen.
While Harrison is learning the ropes, Michael Wilson has been quietly ascending into the WR1 role - and earning every bit of it. Terrell didn’t hold back his praise for the second-year wideout.
“I know Mike’s process more than most, and he definitely deserved all the credit he is getting,” Terrell said. “Kept putting good things on tape, approached the game the right way, and I couldn’t be more proud of Mike and what he accomplished. He deserves it.”
Wilson’s rise hasn’t been flashy, but it’s been steady and consistent - the kind of growth that coaches love. He’s earned his spot by doing the little things right, stacking good practices, and showing up when it matters. In a room that’s still taking shape, his reliability has made him a foundational piece.
Rams Pass Heavy in Win, McVay Takes Accountability
The Rams walked away from Chicago with a playoff win, but the box score told a curious story: 42 pass attempts in the cold, against a Bears defense built to make you grind. Head coach Sean McVay didn’t shy away from the imbalance - or the reasons behind it.
“There were some instances where we did have runs called and we ended up getting to some other stuff, some of which we wanted, some that we didn’t,” McVay said. “Those are areas I have to be better. I have to be able to have some clarity.”
It wasn’t just about calling too many passes - it was about execution and decision-making. McVay broke down a few sequences where miscommunication or protection issues derailed drives. A three-and-out on the second series, a mistake on third-and-four, a protection breakdown after converting a third-and-11 - these are the moments that stall momentum and force adjustments.
Still, McVay isn’t hung up on the run-pass split. His focus is squarely on execution.
“At the end of the day, we have to consistently execute,” he said. “I’m not necessarily worried as much about the run-pass balance as much as our snap in and snap out execution. That wasn’t good enough.”
What stood out most was McVay’s willingness to take ownership. He acknowledged that the Rams were slow to pivot when things weren’t working early and stressed the need to adjust more quickly in the future.
“If we aren’t having successful outcomes, let’s pivot a little bit quicker when the situation and the circumstances dictate,” McVay added. “That’s where I was critical of myself and I won’t run away from that.”
This is classic McVay - detailed, accountable, and always looking for the edge. The Rams survived and advanced, but they know they’ll need to clean things up if they want to keep climbing.
Shaheed’s Impact Felt Immediately in Seattle
When the Seahawks traded for Rashid Shaheed at the deadline, they weren’t just adding depth - they were targeting a game-breaker. And so far, he’s delivered exactly that.
Shaheed’s impact was felt from the jump in the Divisional Round, literally - he opened the game with a kick return touchdown against the 49ers, flipping momentum before San Francisco could even blink.
Head coach Mike Macdonald explained that Shaheed had been on their radar for a while, especially after game-planning against him during his time in New Orleans.
“He was someone that we were targeting throughout the process,” Macdonald said. “From my perspective, the coaches’ perspective, he’s a player we really respect. When he’s catching the ball on kick return you’re like, ‘Here we go, we’ve got to contain this guy.’”
Shaheed brings more than just special teams juice. He’s a vertical threat who forces defenses to respect the deep ball, and his ability in the receiver run game adds another wrinkle to the offense.
“When he’s on the field on offense, you can’t let him get behind you,” Macdonald added. “The receiver run game is something you have to account for as well. It really does help the team big-time.”
Seattle’s offense has a new gear with Shaheed in the mix, and if he keeps making plays like this, he could be the X-factor that tips the scales in a tight postseason battle.