Could the Denver Broncos reunite with Chris Harris Jr?

The Denver Broncos would help themselves by adding a veteran defensive back. Could Chris Harris Jr make a return to the Mile High city?

For the first time in a while, the Denver Broncos are an attractive team to be on. The roster is loaded, headlined by Russell Wilson, who is indeed heading to the Hall of Fame one day.

Besides Wilson, the offense is loaded with talented skill position players, a solid offensive, and studs on defense, including Justin Simmons, Patrick Surtain II, and Dre’Mont Jones.

The team also has a plethora of good-above average players and adequate depth. The Broncos do not need to make any more additions to their roster.

However, teams who are contenders like the Denver Broncos often make luxury additions simply because they can. Older free agents who want to chase a ring may be willing to take less money to play with a contending team. This has happened forever in the NFL and will continue to happen.

One player that sticks out as someone who might be willing to do this is former Broncos’ CB Chris Harris Jr.

CHJ was an undrafted player for them in 2011, breaking out in 2014 and earning a contract extension. He helped anchor the No Fly Zone defense in the 2015 season, which ultimately ended with a Super Bowl championship.

Chris Harris Jr unceremoniously left the team after the 2019 season, signing with the Chargers. In 33 possible games in Los Angeles, Harris played in like 23 of them, missing time in both seasons.

It appears as if Harris isn’t going to be back with them. He just turned 33, so it isn’t really that old, but it’s clear that he’s probably down to the final few seasons of his career.

Even though he’s already won a Super Bowl and has built a Hall of Very Good career, he isn’t going to be paid on the market anymore; that window for him has closed.

Chris Harris Jr should be able to realize that he is firmly in the ring-chasing stage, and the Denver Broncos may have an open roster spot for him.

Harris Jr is primarily a slot defender. He has been perhaps the best slot cornerback of this generation.  Denver tried to replace him with Bryce Callahan, but Callahan struggled severely to stay on the field. Harris was clearly the better player.

The Broncos obviously did not bring back Callahan, and instead signed K’Waun Williams, another talented slot cornerback.

But, like Harris and Callahan, Williams himself does have some injury concerns.

The depth at cornerback behind Patrick Surtain II, Ronald Darby, and K’Waun Williams is a bit suspect. Harris would be a fine addition to the secondary, giving the team excellent depth and a proven veteran talent.

He’d reunite with his old team, and there would be a completely new regime from owner, all the way down to head coach, so perhaps any bad blood with the Broncos could go away.

Given that the Chargers effectively replaced Harris on the roster with a former Bronco, Denver could try and do that themselves, replacing Bryce Callahan with K’Waun Williams and Chris Harris Jr.

I ultimately think a reunion between the two parties is unlikely, but I think it’s something the team should consider.