Speaking with KOA’s Alfred Williams and JoJo Turnbeaugh in Miami during Super Bowl media week, Broncos defensive lineman Shelby Harris spoke about his pending free agency and the possibility of re-signing with Denver.
Harris (6-2, 290 pounds) indicated that he would like to return to the team but he won’t accept a hometown discount during negotiations.
“I want nothing more than to be back,” Harris said, via Anthony Rodriquez of KOA Radio. “But at the end of the day, I realize it’s a business — I’m 28. At the end of the day, I hate to say, it is about the money. I hope the Broncos can come with it. I hope the Broncos can make a market value offer. I would love to stay here. I’m not 24-25 where you’re probably going to get a third contract. At this point, who knows? I only have right now.”
Harris has been a brilliant player for Denver, totaling 122 tackles, 13 sacks, one interception and one forced fumble over the last three years. He has also broken up 16 passes, leading all defensive linemen with nine batted down passes in 2019.
“I don’t ever want to be like, ‘Oh, I don’t wanna come back to Denver’ — I would love to come back to Denver,” Harris said. “But at the end of the day, I gotta take care of my family, I gotta take care of my kids. This is about generational wealth. This is about making sure that my kids’ kids will be good. For me, that’s more important than anything.”
Harris is projected to have a market value of about three years and just over $35 million, according to Spotrac.com. It remains to be seen if the Broncos will be willing to pay him that kind of money. Over the last three seasons, Denver paid Harris a little more than $4.6 million.
[vertical-gallery id=631819]