Kiz: After missing four games as he recovered from COVID-19, Shelby Harris returned against Kansas City and exclaimed: “Man, I love this stuff!” Know what? I love watching him play. The Broncos are a different defense with Harris on the field. More passionate. And more disruptive. When a team’s record is 4-8, everybody is playing for his job. The NFL market shrugged its shoulders at Harris and forced a return to Denver as a free agent prior to this season. Has his play earned him the right for a long-term deal as an essential part of the defensive core?
O’Halloran: Harris played 32 defensive snaps on Sunday night but it seemed like he was out there for every play and making a regular impact. He was credited with two tackles and two batted-down passes. Yes, Harris’ play this season justifies the Broncos believing in him for 2021, ’22 and maybe even ’23. At defensive end, Jurrell Casey has an $11.874 million cap charge next year and DeMarcus Walker will be a free agent like Harris. To fill a need and keep a core player, re-signing Harris makes 100% sense.
Kiz: One of the best bargains on the Denver roster is Harris. By my math, he has been worth roughly twice the $3.25 million salary the Broncos are paying him in 2020. But I must admit there’s one thing that gives me pause. Yes, Harris has been a beast in the defensive line. But he also will turn 30 years old prior to kickoff of next season. In my quest to get Harris a multi-year deal with Denver, am I thinking with my heart instead of my head?
O’Halloran: Harris deserves a multi-year deal from the Broncos (or another team), just like he did last year from the Broncos (or another team). But yes, a player entering his age-30 season may find the market semi-tepid. Here’s what will help Harris, though. He has played only 64 regular season games. By comparison, Casey, 31, has played 142 games. Can Harris be described by his agent in March as a “young” 30? That should be the plan.
Kiz: Fans regard the Broncos as “we.” And I get that. Die-hard fans love this team, through thick and thin. While players love putting on an NFL uniform, they look at the Broncos as a job. That’s a necessity for any pro. Harris has been a football nomad, bouncing around the league with the Raiders, Jets and Cowboys before getting his first real chance to shine in Denver. By NFL standards, he hasn’t earned a ton of money. So Harris can’t afford to be loyal. He has to follow the money and get paid. In Denver. Or elsewhere. What’s a fair deal for Harris?
O’Halloran: As a late-bloomer, Harris knows he will have one kick at the big-money can so securing his family’s future should be Priority A. If the Broncos step up, they have a core player for Vic Fangio’s defense who can play the run and pass. If they don’t step up, Harris should have some suitors. As for what the Broncos can get him for, whew, that will be interesting. I canvassed Over The Cap for 3-4 defensive ends ages 29-30. Some of the average salaries are $12 million (Chicago’s Akiem Hicks), $9 million (Minnesota’s Michael Pierce, who opted out after signing his deal), $8.4 million (the Jets’ Henry Anderson) and $8 million (the Rams’ Michael Brockers). Harris may not reach that point, but he merits something in the range of $6 million to $8 million per year.
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