From being an undrafted rookie to a Super Bowl champion, Chris Harris Jr. has done it all.
Now, he feels like it’s time to look forward to better things. The former Broncos cornerback officially announced his retirement Tuesday after 12 seasons in the NFL.
“I just felt it’s time to close that chapter,” Harris told The Denver Post. “I got a lot of opportunities coming up and I just wanted to focus on the next phase of my life.”
Harris spent nine seasons in Denver, where he played in 139 games, totaling 518 tackles, 86 pass breakups and 20 interceptions. Harris, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2010s All-Decade team, was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and named first-team All-Pro in 2016.
Harris was a prominent member of the “No Fly Zone,” which is considered one of the best secondary groups in league history. Harris, alongside Aqib Talib, Darian Stewart and T.J. Ward, frustrated offenses, especially in 2015 when the unit played an integral role in the Broncos winning Super Bowl 50.
“It was nothing like it, man,” Harris, 34, said. “We probably had the best chemistry for a secondary. You could’ve put us up there with the Legion of Boom. The only way we were going to win games was if the No Fly Zone was going to come out and make plays.”
Following Harris’ time with the Broncos, he spent two seasons with the Chargers and played in 10 games for the Saints in 2022. As a free agent for the last two years, Harris kept his options open in case a team needed a veteran cornerback or safety.
“I felt like I could still play (and) wanted to make sure I still gave myself a chance,” he said.
Harris said he has no regrets about what he accomplished during his time with the Broncos. He hopes the franchise can return to its glory days.
Harris believes head coach Sean Payton can get the Broncos back on track, calling him a coach players love to play for.
“I’m excited to see his plan going forward,” Harris said. “He’s a guy that you can put your trust in. We might not have instant success but I think he is going to build (the team) in the right way.”
Randy Gradishar Day: In the wake of former Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar being elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Gov. Jared Polis announced that May 3 has been declared “Randy Gradishar Day” in Colorado. There will be a special proclamation reading held at the State Capitol building’s west steps on Friday at 2 p.m. when Gradishar will be joined by Polis and Mayor Mike Johnston.
Broncos not expected to pick up Wilson’s fifth-year option: A source told The Denver Post that the Broncos are not expected to pick up newly-acquired quarterback Zach Wilson’s fifth-year option of $22.4 million, which would’ve kept him under contract through the 2025 season. Instead, he will hit free agency next offseason. Denver acquired Wilson in a trade with the New York Jets ahead of the NFL draft last week. Head coach Sean Payton said Wilson, Jarrett Stidham and Bo Nix will compete for the starting quarterback job.
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