Camp Countdown: Expectations high for Chris Harris Jr entering contract year
Jun 19, 2019, 8:22 AM | Updated: 9:52 am
Editor’s note: Check back each day as 104.3 The Fan continues to count down the biggest storylines for the Denver Broncos heading into training camp in less than a month.
How will Chris Harris Jr. perform in his contract year?
Throughout OTAs and early offseason workouts, it seemed uncertain if Broncos Country would even see Chris Harris Jr. during training camp. Or if the All-Pro cornerback would even be with the team come August.
Sitting out much of the offseason looking for an adjustment to his contract, Harris and the Broncos did eventually come to an agreement on a one-year pay bump to $12.05 million.
However, the two sides did not come to an agreement on an extension, leaving Harris in a “prove-it year” in 2019.
During mandatory minicamp, Harris said he’s ready to “take on whoever,” and that he’s going to bring a “swagger” to this Broncos defense.
“Whoever’s the best, I want them. I’m up to the challenge. Same competitor, same fighter on the field. Nothing’s changed. When it comes between these lines, I’m going to do the best to be me on the field every week,” Harris said.
On Tuesday, 104.3 The Fan’s Orlando Franklin said he expects Harris to continue to “go out there and ball” as he has throughout his career.
“I expect Chris Harris to go out there and play like he feels disrespected because, ultimately, that’s what John Elway did to you,” Franklin said. “He didn’t offer you an extension and multiple years. He just said, ‘Hey, we’re going to give you a pay bump and we’re only looking to keep you here one year.’
“So, I’m expecting Chris Harris to go out there and flat-out ball this year.”
“The Safety Blitz” host Nick Ferguson also expects a big year from Harris, predicting with a strong pass rush that he’ll get seven interceptions.
“If you need a big play. The game is on the line. The opposing offense is driving down the field. If there was one player that you had to point to and say, ‘I know he’s going to make a play,’ Chris has been that guy,” Ferguson said.
“He’s always been that guy to either come up with a deflection or, if he’s blitzing, to force a quarterback into an errant throw. So, there’s nothing that tells me that it’s going to be anything different.”
Tune in to 104.3 The Fan to hear the answers to today’s question: Who will emerge as the Broncos No. 3 wide receiver?
