Broncos cornerback Chris Harris has been skipping the team’s offseason program in protest of his current contract situation. Harris, 29, is entering the final season of a five-year, $42.5 million contract.
Harris earned an average of $8.5 million per year on his current deal, which is far below the market value for one of the league’s top cornerbacks. He wants a contract extension — and a big raise.
Denver outside linebacker Von Miller, who had a long contract negotiation battle with the team following a win in Super Bowl 50, can sympathize with his teammate.
“I feel for Chris. I definitely feel for Chris,” Miller said after practice Monday. “Sometimes when you first get here they tell you that you play and you play well, they’ll take care of you if you do all of the rights. If you do all of the right things in the community and you do all of the right things on the football field, they’ll take care of you. Chris has definitely done everything and then some.
“Whether it’s in the community with his foundation or on the football field — he’s always on the number one receiver, he’s a top DB in the league. You want to take care of guys like that. But it’s not all simple. It’s not all as simple as it seems. I understand that. I’ve been through that before. Guys like Chris Harris who have done it all, really hit all of the check marks and all of the boxes, you want to take care of guys like. He deserves it 100 percent.”
Technically, Harris isn’t holding out because the team’s organized team activities are voluntary. The team will begin mandatory minicamp in June, though, and Harris will be fined if he skips that camp.
Broncos general manager John Elway spoke with Harris’ agent last week and the two sides are expected to talk again this week. Denver has ruled out the possibility of trading the four-time Pro Bowler.
