Getty Then-Broncos CB Chris Harris Jr. shown during a 2019 game.
After 12 seasons in the NFL, a famed member of the Denver Broncos‘ legendary “No Fly Zone” announced his retirement.
Former Broncos All-Pro cornerback Chris Harris Jr. broke news of his decision in an April 30 interview with Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette.
“I just waited a year and I stayed in shape, but I realized that everybody was pretty much moving on with the younger players, the younger wave,” Harris told Tomasson. “So I thought it would be great to just call it an end.”
Undrafted out of Kansas in 2011, Harris was a four-time Pro Bowl selection in Denver and voted a First-team All-Pro in 2016. He played a central role in helping the Broncos hoist the Lombardi Trophy during the 2016 Super Bowl.
The All-Pro expressed his gratitude and was “able to accomplish pretty much everything” in his professional career.
“The only award I didn’t win was Defensive Player of the Year. Getting All-Decade was the top thing. I feel definitely blessed, especially coming in as undrafted. I pretty much had to fight through all my career and being able to overcome that, that’s one thing I’m definitely happy for,” Harris told Tomasson.
Harris Reached His Career Peak During Broncos Tenure
Harris overcame countless odds in the Mile High City to reach his potential that was as high as the Rocky Mountains.
Despite entering the NFL undrafted, Harris amassed 72 total tackles, six passes defended and one interception in 16 games, including four starts in his rookie year. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team for his first-year contributions.
His peak with the Broncos came during the 2015-16 campaigns thanks to the emergence of the “No Fly Zone.” The Denver secondary with Aqib Talib, Darian Stewart, T.J. Ward and Bradley Roby suffocated offenses across the league.
Harris was perhaps the most suffocating, not allowing a touchdown pass from December 2013 to December 2015. The “No Fly Zone” helped the Broncos defeat the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in the 2016 Super Bowl.
Talib and Harris followed up on their production the following season as both were named First-team All-Pro selections. Throughout his nine seasons in Denver, Harris tallied 518 combined tackles, 20 interceptions and four defensive touchdowns.
Harris Remained Relatively Productive Once He Left Denver
The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Harris was part of its 2010s All-Decade Team in 2019. Harris had reached the pinnacle of success, yet left Denver for the rival Los Angeles Chargers in March 2020.
He had a pair of productive seasons with the Chargers, recording 74 combined tackles and a pair of interceptions in 23 appearances.
The New Orleans Saints signed Harris to its practice squad in October 2022. Harris recorded one sack, 29 total tackles, three passes defended and one forced fumble in ten games, including four starts.
Once his Saints tenure ended, Harris sat out the 2023 season. Harris waited for an opportunity to sign with a team with a “great chance to win a Super Bowl,” Tomasson reported in May 2023.
After receiving no interest across the league, Harris saw the writing on the wall and called it quits. His career did not end as expected, but Harris will always be a legend in Broncos Country.
Harris’ admission into the Broncos Ring of Fame is inevitable following his stellar NFL career.