Optimism building around Chris Harris Jr. staying in Denver long term

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — On Tuesday morning, Chris Harris Jr. didn’t know if he was going to be a Bronco by the time dinner was served.

One day after the trade deadline passed, the Pro Bowler’s future in Denver has a drastically different outlook. Despite getting multiple calls from teams inquiring about acquiring the Broncos’ star cornerback, John Elway decided to stay put.

“We were not interested in what they wanted and what the compensation was. Again, I’ll go back to the same thing, if we thought it was the best thing for the Broncos, we would have done something, but it’s best that Chris is here with us,” Elway said on Wednesday morning on KOA.

“We’re still trying to win football games. That compensation would have had to have been a lot just because, even though I know Chris’ contract is up at the end of the year, we’re still trying to win now and then we’ll see—we’ll talk to Chris at the end of the year and see if we can get something done with him at the end of the year.”

An hour later, Vic Fangio had an even stronger endorsement, simply stating he’s hopeful a deal can be worked out between the two sides keeping Harris Jr. in Denver.

“That’s a lot better from what I’ve heard in the past,” Chris said with a chuckle, responding to Elway and Fangio’s remarks about potentially keeping him a Bronco for the long term. “To know that they want me to be here, that’s big for me because as a player, you always want to feel appreciated. You want to feel the work you put on the field is noted and appreciated.”

If appreciation is what Chris wants—along with a team backing up the brinks truck, of course—then Fangio earned the team some kudos at the future negotiation table.

“He’s what you want in a defensive back,” Fangio stated. “He’s a versatile player. He’s smart. He can obviously play corner or nickel. He’s strictly been a corner for us for the most part because of where we’re at. He’s versatile, smart, can cover.”

Harris Jr. was happy and relieved to not be traded as his goal was to finish the year in Denver and then “see what happens at the end of the year.”

But, don’t get Chris wrong. There will not be a hometown discount. There will be no team-friendly deal. Harris Jr. wants to be paid and wants to be paid like the elite corner he is.

Despite having a rotating cast of characters opposite him at cornerback, Chris has been instrumental in building the fourth-best pass defense in the NFL, giving up only 194.8 yards per game through the air.

“We’re still up there in the top five,” Harris Jr. said on Tuesday, proud of his unit. “I’m still being able to contain the top receivers every game. It’s how it is every week, I take on the big responsibility to allow those guys to play free.”

Chris is not only one of the game’s best cornerbacks with his ability to play inside and outside, he acts as a coach on and off the field.

“When we come into the week to prepare for the game, I’m already [telling] Coach Donatell this is what I see, bam bam bam bam bam bam—I’m already ahead. So this is what I do,” Harris Jr. said, not lacking confidence. “I’m all football. This is all I do.”

For Sunday’s game against the Browns, the 5-foot-10 corner wants to go up against Odell Beckham Jr. Why? Well, the answer is classic Chris.

“He’s the best receiver on their team.”