Chargers sign Chris Harris: Grade, reactions and more
The best remaining free agent cornerback is now accounted for, as Chris Harris will sign with the Los Angeles Chargers.
When the Denver Broncos agreed to trade for cornerback A.J. Bouye, it pretty much sealed that Chris Harris would sign elsewhere as a free agent. As league business can be made somewhat official Wednesday afternoon, ESPN’s Josina Anderson has reported Harris will sign with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chargers fell short in a pursuit of Tom Brady. But they have been pretty aggressive in addressing their offensive line (Trai Turner, Bryan Bulaga), and they also reportedly agreed to terms with defensive tackle Linval Joseph on Wednesday.
The Chargers had the league’s fifth-best pass defense last year (200.3 yards per game), and they also allowed the third-fewest yards per completion (10.3). Casey Hayward and Desmond King are two excellent corners, the returns to health of safeties Derwin James and Nasir Adderley put them in a good spot. Signing Harris puts them right in the conversation to have one of the best secondaries in the league.
After apparently turning down an offer from the Las Vegas Raiders, and perhaps multiple other teams, Harris will ultimately stay in the AFC West and face his former team twice.
Contract Details
Mike Klis of 9News in Denver has passed along, directly from Harris, that it’ll be a two-year deal in the $20 million range with the Chargers.
National Reaction
Chris Harris Jr. says goodbye to Denver in Instagram post: pic.twitter.com/y9Zq6eYL26
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) March 18, 2020
#Broncos free agent CB Chris Harris, one of the top players still available, is headed to the #Chargers, sources say. A big-ticket defender for Los Angeles.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2020
Chargers' secondary in 2020:
— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) March 18, 2020
CB Casey Hayward Jr.
CB Desmond King
CB Chris Harris Jr.
S Derwin James
S Nasir Adderley
🔥🔥🔥
Interesting subplot: Chris Harris turned down an opportunity/offer to play for the Raiders.
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaSports) March 18, 2020
I’m told that he was not interested in playing for them. https://t.co/mMWLCNBF0P
Wow. Chargers starting corners:
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) March 18, 2020
Casey Hayward
Chris Harris Jr.
Desmond King (slot)
Nearly impossible to beat that trio. https://t.co/CPqEKjgIHb
My best to Chris Harris Jr. with the Chargers. One of my favorite all-time people. I was first to do an interview with him when he was Broncos undrafted free agent. He thanked me for talking to him. Thanks for nine great years in Denver. He’ll return for Ring of Fame induction.
— Woody Paige (@woodypaige) March 18, 2020
I asked Keenan Allen last summer if any corners were particularly tough early in his career.
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) March 18, 2020
His answer? Chris Harris. And now they’re teammates.
Allen and Mike Williams against Harris, Casey Hayward, and Desmond King every single day. Those practices are gonna be fun.
"One of the best cornerbacks of the past decade." @PFF_Sam on the Chargers signing Chris Harris Jr. pic.twitter.com/4vmqZtfFvd
— PFF (@PFF) March 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/thomasrp93/status/1240367066781278214?s=20
"I love this move. You've got an outside guy who can really take care of his opposing wide receiver... This is a nice pick up for the Chargers."@BMac_SportsTalk is all for Chris Harris joining the Los Angeles Chargers. pic.twitter.com/NlYAWgtjIm
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) March 18, 2020
Chris Harris Jr wanted to be in a spot that allows him to be the QB of the defense. He usually follows in base and then when a team goes to 3 WRs he moves inside and can be the playmaker that has made him an All Pro. He’s one of the smartest players I’ve ever covered.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) March 18, 2020
Chargers might have lost out on Brady but they are doing things in free agency. Now adding Chris Harris to a secondary with Casey Heyward and Derwin James, behind all those pass rushers and gap plugger Linval Joseph. Ok. Okay...
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) March 18, 2020
#Chargers defense is stacked:
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) March 18, 2020
DE Joey Bosa
DE Melvin Ingram
DT Linval Joseph
S Derwin James
CB Chris Harris
CB Casey Hayward
CB Desmond King
They might hold the Chiefs to 31 points now.
Per @JosinaAnderson Chris Harris Jr. is joining the Chargers
— PFF (@PFF) March 18, 2020
Harris Jr: PFF grade of 70+ in 8 of 9 seasons in the NFL pic.twitter.com/eAKsWWAQDu
dark. Next. 5 teams who should trade for Cam Newton
At 31 years old by the time the season starts, coming of a down year (for him) as he moved primary to the outside for the Broncos after being a shutdown corner in the slot, there is some downside risk with Harris. But he still very good, and the Chargers will have an absolutely stacked defense from back to front.