This won’t be the first time that cornerback Chris Harris Jr. has been on the same team as Chargers head coach Brandon Staley.
Harris spent nine seasons with the Broncos, which included one with Staley (2019), who was then Denver’s outside linebackers coach.
His lone stint with Staley was also the only year that Vic Fangio coached Harris. This is significant because Staley’s scheme is going to draw some similarities to Fangio’s, so Harris already has a leg up.
“This year, I feel very comfortable [being in a system I’m familiar with]. I’m able to be that extra quarterback back there for these guys because they’re still learning the system, so it’s good to have me back there to be able to speed up their thinking and to help them out.”
In Staley’s defense, Harris, who has been practicing at multiple spots, will be tasked with playing his natural position inside the slot, near the boundary and dimebacker.
Harris will have more man coverage responsibilities, which is what he’s more comfortable with as opposed to heavy dosages of zone with former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley last season.
Harris said that Staley’s scheme is “night and day” and the “complete opposite” of Bradley’s scheme.