Chris Harris, Jr. has formally requested to be traded if he does not get a new contract, according to Adam Schefter. Harris, Jr., one of the top cornerbacks in the league, has made his wish for a new contract known throughout the offseason, and has so far been rebuffed by Denver Broncos GM John Elway.
Harris, Jr. did not attend the offseason program in early April. In March, Elway said he would address it after getting through the draft. On Tuesday, Elway took time out from meeting with the press to specifically address it even further, and added that just because they would talk, it doesn’t guarantee a deal will get done.
Here are Elway's full comments on Chris Harris Jr.'s contract situation. Why they are waiting until after the draft: "I don't have time right now."@CBSDenver #4Broncos pic.twitter.com/Giey60DAWX
— Michael Spencer (@MichaelCBS4) April 23, 2019
It cannot make Harris, Jr. happy that while he was seeking a new deal, the team went out in free agency and signed Kareem Jackson and Bryce Callahan to deals at the same position worth $11 million per year and $7 million per year, respectively, putting them roughly in line with Harris, Jr.’s salary even though they are not in the same stratosphere as players.
Those moves seem to be a misstep in managing personalities and people, while not having the time to address Harris, Jr.’s contract demands. The truth is that Harris, Jr. is the second-most valuable player on the roster behind Von Miller. Now, the world knows that he wants out–or according to Mike Klis, wants $15 million per year. From Harris, Jr.’s perspective, this is the best time to put this out, as teams can figure out if they want to make a trade heading into the draft that remains Elway’s only focus at the moment.
Things could come to a head quickly in Denver, and if Denver does not make a trade, expect continued fireworks this offseason, and Harris, Jr. not being happy unless he is clearly paid as the top cornerback on the team.
