The Chargers officially signed cornerback Chris Harris Jr. to a two-year deal on Monday.
Harris is arguably one of the best corners in the league, who provides versatility to play inside or out, but he has done his best work in the slot.
When brought in, the biggest question was whether or not he was going to play opposite of Casey Hayward on the outside or take Desmond King’s spot as the team’s slot cornerback.
According to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, Harris said that general manager Tom Telesco, coach Anthony Lynn and defensive backs coach Ron Milus said that he would be playing in the slot all season.
“That was the main thing that they brought to me,” Harris said.
With Harris taking King’s position for the past few seasons, that’s likely indicating that the former Iowa product will have former Chargers safety Adrian Phillips’ role as the team’s dime linebacker.
King will be used near the box, where he would use his run defense skills to sniff out run plays while also using his coverage skills in the short-to-intermediate zones.
While Harris will primarily play in the slot, there’s still the possibility of playing on the outside, too.
“That was the main thing, they want to put me in there, playing all over the field like I know how,” Harris said.
With that, might come a possible change to the defense.
“I know in the past they’ve been primary just Cover 3, and just from talking to them, talking to the coaches, they want to add in more versatility. That’s what we can do with me,” Harris said.
After being rivals for seven seasons, Harris and wide receiver Keenan Allen are officially teammates. He is looking forward to the opportunity to continue to battle with him and practice, and ensure that iron will sharpen iron.
“I know the type of competitor he is, and just to have that mutual respect out there, I know he’s going to give it his all every game. Give him any knowledge on the Denver Broncos defense that I got or anything around the AFC West,” Harris said.