Chris Harris Jr. rumored to be working on short-term deal

The Denver Broncos are reportedly working on a short-term deal with Chris Harris Jr., possibly just a re-negotiation of his 2019 salary.

The Denver Broncos are a better football team with Chris Harris Jr.

It makes sense for them to sign him to a new contract, but does this make much sense?

Let’s explore this idea, which has been reported now by every person in the know — Mike Klis, Nicki Jhabvala, Troy Renck, James Palmer, etc.

Here’s how this deal would read to me:

• Harris gets $14.5-15 million in 2019 — good for Harris
• Harris gets to hit FA in 2020 — good for Harris
• The Broncos get Harris back in 2019 — good for both
• The Broncos’ limited cap space takes a hit — bad for Broncos
• The Broncos have to franchise tag Harris or let him walk in 2020 — not good for Broncos

Does this deal make sense for any of the involved parties? If the Broncos simply want Harris in the fold for this year and this year only, I guess so.

If the Broncos want Harris in the fold for the next couple of years, this deal is just okay. If the Broncos don’t give in to Harris’ demands and just find a middle ground here in 2019, they do have the option of the franchise tag in 2020, which will likely be over $16 million.

Harris probably wouldn’t mind the fully guaranteed cash but he wants a big contract.

If he gets $15 million this year from the Broncos and let’s call it $16 million on the franchise tag next year (I’m trying to find ways to keep him in Denver, people), that’s essentially a two-year $31 million deal for Harris in what is most likely going to be guaranteed money.

It would prevent him from hitting the open market until he’s 32 in 2021, however, which is not ideal especially considering there is another expected lockout in 2021.

Harris could probably get a four-year deal on the open market with $45 million guaranteed if he were a free agent right now, but he’s not.

The Broncos have the leverage here, and Harris has to know that. He could sit out games, but he’d be forfeiting game checks. That’s not going to happen. He’s not in the same situation at Le’Veon Bell who held out at the age of 26.

Earl Thomas was in a similar situation and didn’t hold out, but his example may not be the best as he suffered an injury while playing on the franchise tag.

What’s the difference between what’s been reported as the resolution we’re apparently coming to here and a franchise tag?

It seems like this bump in 2019 pay to get Harris to 2020 free agency reads a lot like a franchise tag.

This is a really tough situation for both sides. The Broncos don’t seem to want to give Harris a long-term deal, and while Harris wants a long-term deal, the only way for him to get it is to bet the Broncos don’t use the tag after this season and he walks in free agency.

This seems like a situation without a great solution either way, but we’ll certainly be happy to see Harris in Denver in 2019 if that ends up being the case.