Report: Chris Harris Jr. 'Unlikely' to Return to Broncos After A.J. Bouye Trade

The arrival of A.J. Bouye in Denver reportedly means the likely end of Chris Harris' run in the Denver secondary. 

Troy Renck of Denver7 reported Harris, a free agent later this month, is "unlikely" to return after the Broncos sent a fourth-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for Bouye. Harris made $13 million in 2019, the same sticker price Bouye reportedly will cost Denver the next two seasons.

Harris congratulated Bouye after the move while also hinting at things to come:

Harris, 30, has spent his first nine seasons in Denver, making four Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams. He recorded 56 tackles and one interception in 2019. While he wasn't in Pro Bowl form, Harris played in all 16 games for the seventh time in his career.

Harris said last month he expected to test the free-agent market. 

"I think that's the direction right now," Harris said in an interview with Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic and Justin Adams on 104.3 The Fan. "I think everybody deserves to see what they're worth, and I deserve it at this point. I think I worked my tail off for nine years, I gave the city every ounce of effort that I could give and, shoot, it's time to see what everybody else thinks about me."

Given his production and consistent availability, Harris should not struggle to find teams interested in signing him to a long-term contract. The short-term deal he signed with Denver last offseason came in large part because he was recovering from a fractured fibula; he'll go into March with a full bill of health.

The Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets and Houston Texans are expected to express interest, per Renck.