Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris has requested a new contract or trade, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Harris, 29, is entering the final season of a five-year, $42.5 million contract. His current deal pays him an average of $8.5 million per year. The four-time Pro Bowler is seeking an extension and pay raise.
Broncos general manager John Elway signed two cornerbacks during free agency earlier this offseason, Kareem Jackson and Bryce Callahan. Jackson ($11 million) will earn more than Harris on average and Callahan ($7 million) is not far behind Harris despite having zero Pro Bowl appearances.
Harris is seeking an average salary of “at least” $15 million per year, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.
Elway was asked about the possibility of Harris receiving an extension at his pre-draft press conference Tuesday. The GM was noncommittal about the future of the team’s veteran cornerback.
“He’s under contract, so we’ll talk about that when the draft is over,” Elway said. “When I say this, I said we’re going to talk about it. It doesn’t mean we’re going to do it.”
Harris has been skipping the team’s offseason program in protest of his contract situation. Since joining the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas in 2011, Harris has totaled 462 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 19 interceptions in his career.
