Denver Broncos media reporter Mike Klis is reporting that the Detroit Lions tried to acquire Broncos cornerback Chris Harris ahead of the trade deadline.
According to Klis, the Lions were the only team that made an offer for Harris — others called but made no offer — and they were offering less than a third-round pick for Harris’ rights. Harris is a pro bowl level slot corner, but he will also turn 31 years old this offseason and is currently in the final year of his contract.
Offer, age and contract are all strong indicators that this is was viewed as a short-term/2019 solution.
The Lions may have required a short-term solution if they received an offer they couldn’t refuse for Darius Slay and in turn needed to make a counter move at cornerback. But it’s also just as likely that it was a move to add depth to a priority position. We will likely never know the reasoning, as the Lions are pretty tight-lipped about their behind the scenes motives.
In the end, the trade deadline passed. Slay is still in Detroit and Harris is still in Denver and for the Lions, they will put off dealing with Slay’s contract demands until the offseason.
Of note, NFL teams are not eligible to make trades again until March 18, 2020, when the free agency period begins.
