The 2019 trade deadline underwhelmed, when compared to the action of the offseason. Chris Harris was one of the marquee names not moved, but teams tried. One tried harder than the others, with Mike Klis of 9News tweeting the Lions were the only team to submit an offer.
Detroit proposed a deal that was not to Denver’s liking, however, making an offer that did not even meet a third-round price, per Klis. The Broncos were seeking a second-rounder for their high-end cornerback, Troy Renck of Denver7 tweets. Both the Eagles and Texans pursued Harris, but Houston sent a third-rounder for Gareon Conley instead. Conley can be controlled through 2021, while Harris is in a contract year.
The Broncos can now recoup a possible third-rounder in 2021, if Harris signs a lucrative free agent deal, or resume extension talks. The sides were not particularly close on that end over the summer, leading to a one-year Harris pay raise. But with Harris profiling as the team’s only reliable corner, the 30-year-old departing would create a massive need for a franchise that has other key roster deficiencies.
This news comes a day after the Lions were listening on Darius Slay. The Eagles, interestingly, pursued both Harris and Slay. Denver, Detroit and Philadelphia will keep their previous setups, with the latter two attempting to contend this season with those.
The 2-6 Broncos certainly face the prospect of Harris leaving in 2020, seeing as the corner plans to test free agency — which he did not do when he signed a 2014 extension. But John Elway has precedent for extending older corners, having re-upped a 32-year-old Champ Bailey in his initial months on the job in 2011.