Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Chris Harris tried to be diplomatic earlier this week when asked about having additional incentive to play well Sunday when he faces the Broncos for the first time since leaving in March.
“I try to approach every game like that,” he said.
But Harris doesn’t do diplomatic very well.
“I might have a little more this week for sure,” he said.
Might have a little more because Harris once envisioned playing his whole career with the Broncos. But a contract dispute during the 2019 offseason, which saw him boycott the voluntary activities, ultimately led to the Broncos acquiring cornerback A.J. Bouye in March and Harris signing a two-year, $20 million deal with the Chargers.
The Bouye deal didn’t pan out for the Broncos — he battled multiple injuries and had no interceptions before he was suspended for the final four games.
The Harris deal is a work in progress for the Chargers — he missed seven games with a foot injury, but had his first interception in a Week 15 win at Las Vegas.
“He’s been great,” Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley told reporters. “I’ve mentioned before his true professionalism and how he handles everything. Itap just his overall presence with a younger group and itap not like he just talks to the DBs, he talks to the linebackers and brings that mentality of what it takes to be successful. He’s been a great addition.”
That mentality continues to fuel Harris in his 11th pro season. In his mind, he’s still the undrafted player who signed with the Broncos in 2011, clawed his way onto the roster, became a starter in 2012 and was named to four Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team. Only his uniform has changed.
From 2012-18, Harris had at least two interceptions in every season, missed only five regular-season games in nine years, played at least 1,000 snaps four times and his 20 interceptions are tied for 10th in Broncos history.
Once he retires, Harris’ resume should earn him a place in the Broncos’ Ring of Honor.
“It was a brotherhood over there, I just happened to go to the dark side (within the AFC West),” he said with a laugh. “A lot of great people in the (Broncos’) organization definitely helped out my career and got me to this point.”
Despite the tumult of the ’19 offseason, Harris held out a sliver of hope he could stay with the Broncos. He started all 16 games and had one interception and 56 tackles and changed agents late in the season.
“I definitely thought there could be a chance,” he said. “But the way it happened, I guess it was just time for me to have a fresh start somewhere else. The situation was definitely up and down. I’m definitely happy with my choice.”
Facing the Broncos twice a year was a nice bonus of signing with the Chargers. Harris missed the teams’ first meeting — a Broncos 31-30 win in Week 8. The Chargers’ secondary was hit by injuries early in the season, losing safety Derwin James and sub-package cornerback Desmond King. And then Harris went down.
Since Harris’ return, the Chargers have improved from 12th to seventh in pass defense.
“Slowly improving every week,” he said. “That was a tough injury. Once the season is over, I can’t take a break. I have to continue to rehab and get back to 100%.”
Said coach Vic Fangio: “Obviously, a great nickel, a very good corner, a good football player (who has) good instincts and sees the game through a lens that is wider and deeper than most. He has a lot of great qualities to him and he’s been playing good since he’s gotten back into the lineup.”
