Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris has requested a new contract worth at least $15 million a year or a trade. On Tuesday evening, KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis reported that the Broncos will not meet the cornerback’s contract demands.
So the team’s options are (a) trade Harris, (b) keep him on the roster and hope that he doesn’t continue his holdout into the season or (c) reach a middle ground in contract negotiations.
Reaching a middle ground seems increasingly unlikely as Klis reported Tuesday that “it appears the cornerback has reached a point where he’s ready to move on.”
Harris hinted late last year that his time with the team could be coming to an end.
“I want to win, so whatever situation is best for me at the time,” Harris said of his future on December 31. “We’ll see what new coaches we get. It’s late in my career and I can’t waste any years anymore.
“It’s time for me to win. I always wanted to retire here and finish my career here, but I’m ready to see what changes and things we do.”
If Harris received a new deal worth more than $15 million per season, he would become the highest-paid cornerback in the league.
Harris’ current contract, which pays him an average of $8.5 million per year, is set to expire after the 2019 season. If the Broncos keep the cornerback this year and let him walk in free agency next year, Denver would likely receive a third-round compensatory selection in 2021.
So the Broncos probably wouldn’t give up Harris for anything less than a third-round pick. It remains to be seen what kind of interest teams will have in the four-time Pro Bowler during the NFL draft this weekend. Harris will turn 30 years old on June 18.
