Tag: Chris Harris

Former Panthers safety joining Steve Wilks as Jets’ passing game coordinator/DB coach

Former Panthers safety Chris Harris is the latest familiar face to jet off to New York.

Carolina Panthers fans should have another old friend to root for over in “The Big Apple.”

According to by Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, the New York Jets are expected to hire former Panthers safety Chris Harris as their defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach. He’s set to join first-year head coach Aaron Glenn and the team’s new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who previously coached in Carolina for a total of seven seasons.

Harris will head over from the Tennessee Titans, where he served as their defensive passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach for the last two seasons. He’s also picked up stints as a defensive quality control coach for the Chicago Bears (2013 to 2014), an assistant defensive backs coach for the Los Angeles Chargers (2016 to 2019) and a defensive backs coach for the Washington Commanders (2020 to 2022).

Before transitioning into a coach, Harris played three of his eight NFL seasons with the Panthers. His best year for Carolina came in 2007, when he recorded a league-leading eight forced fumbles along with 97 combined tackles.

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Former Titans’ defensive coach Chris Harris to join New York Jets

Former Tennessee Titans defensive coach Chris Harris is reportedly joining the New York Jets’ defensive staff.

The Tennessee Titans have been busy making adjustments this offseason, firing general manager Ran Carthon in favor of Mike Borgonzi. Bringing in new coaches and coordinators while letting others go. Chris Harris was one of those the Titans parted ways with, and it didn’t take long for him to find a new job as he is reportedly set to join the New York Jets.

Harris was hired by the Titans in 2023 as the defensive passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach and was retained when Brian Callahan took over in 2024. His contract expired this month, and the Titans opted not to renew it. It seems the Jets have a place for him on their staff in a similar role.

In 2024, the Titans had the second-ranked pass defense in the NFL. However, most credit that to bringing in Dennart Wilson who led the Baltimore Ravens’ top-ranked defense the year before.

Prior to joining Tennessee, Harris played safety for eight seasons before turning to coaching in 2013. He started as a defensive quality control coach for the Chicago Bears, then joined the Los Angeles Chargers from 2016-2019 as the assistant defensive backs coach, and finally the defensive backs coach for the Washington Commanders in 2020 until he joined Tennessee.

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Broncos will have a ‘No Fly Zone’ reunion on Sunday

The Broncos will recognize their “No Fly Zone” secondary before the Falcons game on Sunday.

Before Sunday’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, the Denver Broncos will recognize several members of “The No-Fly Zone” defense as part of the pregame festivities.

Former Broncos Aqib Talib, Chris Harris, T.J. Ward, Darian Stewart, Bradley Roby and David Bruton will be present for the Week 11 tilt at Empower Field at Mile High.

According to the team’s official website, the former teammates will participate in the flag plant prior to kickoff, and be a part of the Salute to Service halftime relay race.

Game recognizes game, and current Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain was asked about the “No Fly Zone” on Wednesday.

“I watched them a lot growing up,” Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain said this week. “I always remember it was them and the ‘Legion of Boom.’ Those two secondaries were… They just kept on producing big-time numbers. I still communicate [with them]. I just saw Chris Harris for the first time when they came here to honor his name. I’ve talked with Talib a few times too. So it’s going to be pretty awesome to see them come back. I can’t wait to meet all of them. It’s going to be a great experience for sure.”

The No Fly Zone boasts a combined 10 Pro Bowl appearances and they were key members of the 2025 defense that led the team to a victory in Super Bowl 50.

Earlier this season, Harris signed a ceremonial contract with the Broncos to retire with the team which gave him his first NFL opportunity.

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Chris Harris gives his take on Vance Joseph’s punishing defense

“He’s always been aggressive,” Chris Harris said of Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. “We blitzed a lot when he coached me.”

Former Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris recently appeared on the Up and Adams show after the Broncos defeated the New Orleans Saints, and he had high praise for defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s unit.

When host Kay Adams asked Harris if he thought that Joseph had changed his philosophies or defense since Harris was with the team, Harris said, “I don’t think he’s changed, I just think he’s getting better with his playcalling. He’s got a great d-line, with Zach Allen leading the way and he’s got guys just making plays,”

The cornerback continued: “A lot of times, it’s not — the players make the coaches. And guys just make the plays, right? You can call the same defense every time and if guys don’t make the plays, it’s going to make the coach look bad. Right now, they’re making him look good they’re getting a lot of pressure, I don’t think he’s evolved, because he’s always been aggressive. We blitzed a lot when he coached me, so I see him doing the exact same thing.”

Adams also asked Harris who should be getting more love on the defensive side of the ball. “Riley Moss,” Harris said without hesitation. “I think he’s playing great. He started a little shaky, you know, but this is kind of his rookie year. He’s improving every week.”

You can watch the entire interview with Adams and Harris below.

 

The Broncos will host the Carolina Panthers in Week 8 on Oct. 27.

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Chris Harris says Broncos DL Zach Allen looks like J.J. Watt this season

“He looks kind of like J.J. Watt sometimes,” Chris Harris said of Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen.

From 2011 to 2015, JJ Watt was the most dominant defensive player in the NFL, totaling 75.5 sacks in five years. Although the back half of his career was a mixture of injuries and bounce-back seasons, Watt made his name known.

So, if a player ever gets a comparison to Watt, it’s a prestigious honor. That’s what former Denver Broncos cornerback and Super Bowl 50 champion Chris Harris recently bestowed upon defensive lineman Zach Allen. 

Appearing on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams, Harris praised the Denver defensive lineman and compared him to Watt, Allen’s former teammate with the Arizona Cardinals. 

Allen has four sacks and 19 total tackles so far. He also has 9.5 run stuffs and a Pro Football Focus grade of 61.5. All-Pro recognition and a Pro Bowl nod will await if he continues this pace.

Allen and his Broncos teammates have rested up following their win against the New Orleans Saints this past Thursday and the team will now prepare to face the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 27.

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Chris Harris signs ceremonial contract to retire a Bronco

Chris Harris signed a ceremonial contract to retire as a Bronco on Saturday and he will be honored by the team on Sunday.

After previously announcing his retirement from the NFL this spring, cornerback Chris Harris signed a ceremonial contract with the Denver Broncos on Saturday to retire as a Bronco.

Harris, 35, originally signed with Denver as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas in 2011. He went on to become one of the best cornerbacks in franchise history, emerging as a key member of the “No Fly Zone” secondary that helped the team win Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season.

The Broncos recognized Harris at Saturday’s walk-through practice and the cornerback will be honored against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

“Broncos Country, I can’t wait to see you [Sunday],” Harris said in a video on the team’s official X page. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m going to get you all hyped before the game so make sure you get there early!”

Harris earned four Pro Bowl nods and three All-Pro honors during his time in Denver. The cornerback broke up 86 passes and recorded 20 interceptions, returning four for touchdowns with the Broncos. Harris spent the final years of his career with the Chargers and New Orleans Saints before hanging up his cleats.

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2 ex-Broncos had perfect responses to Mel Kiper’s silly safety rant

Worried about two deep safeties? “Learn how to run the ball.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. went on a ridiculous rant this week the “Get Up” program about two-high safety schemes in the NFL.

“Don’t tell me you can’t have those safeties closer to the line of scrimmage than they are,” Kiper ranted. “I was at games thinkin, ‘Hey, two high? They’re out in outer space!’ I couldn’t even find ’em. They’re playing with nine guys! The other two, they’re so far back you don’t even know they’re part of the damn play! I’m telling you, we gotta change this thing.”

Kiper suggesting that the NFL should change its rules to not allow two deep safeties is an outrageous idea, and two former Denver Broncos players had perfect responses that were nearly identical.

“Hey [if] you don’t want two-high looks, run the ball,” former Broncos cornerback Chris Harris tweeted on Thursday. Ex-Denver guard Mark Schlereth tweeted the same sentiment:

Harris played for the Broncos from 2011-2019, helping the team win Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season. Schlereth played in Denver from 1995-2000, winning back-to-back Super Bowls in the late 1990s.

The Super Bowl champions are spot-on.

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Broncos share highlights from No Fly Zone’s preseason ‘Alt Cast’

Chris Harris and Aqib Talib hosted an ‘Alt Cast’ for the Broncos’ preseason game against the Packers last week. Check out the highlights.

Two members of the “No Fly Zone” secondary took a page out of Peyton and Eli Manning’s playbook last week.

Following the success of the “ManningCast,” former Denver Broncos cornerbacks Chris Harris and Aqib Talib joined James Palmer for an “Alt Cast” of last week’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.

Due to the NFL’s broadcasting restrictions, the alternate broadcast was only available to stream in Colorado, but the team shared a few of the highlights on their Twitter/X page.

Talib reflected on the team’s 29-10 win over the Green Bay Packers during the 2015 season. That victory improved Denver to 7-0 and dropped Green Bay to 6-1:

Talib and Harris also reacted to Tim Patrick’s comeback from back-to-back injuries.

“Me and Chris knew he was going to be good because he would come out and he was the ultimate competition, man,” Talib said. “Every day, he tried to smash us.”

Update: The Broncos uploaded a 21-minute highlight video from the broadcast on their YouTube page:

The alternate broadcast was well-received by fans in Colorado.

Judging from Sunday’s success, this probably won’t be the last time we see an alternate broadcast for a Broncos preseason game.

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Broncos announce alternate ‘No Fly Zone’ broadcast for second preseason game

Aqib Talib and Chris Harris will host an alternate ‘No Fly Zone’ broadcast for the Broncos-Packers game on Sunday for fans in Colorado.

The success of the “ManningCast” seems to have inspired a pair of former Denver Broncos cornerbacks.

The Broncos announced Tuesday that the team will have an alternate “No Fly Zone” broadcast for their upcoming preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. Unfortunately for out-of-state fans, the broadcast will only be available for fans in Colorado on Sunday evening. The broadcast will be streamed on live.denverbroncos.com

The alternate broadcast will feature former Denver cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris, who helped the team win Super Bowl 50 in 2015. James Palmer will join the former cornerbacks alongside several special guests.

Harris currently co-hosts a Broncos podcast on the Bleav Network and Talib has served as a Fox commentator for NFL games in the past. They seem to be following in the footsteps of Peyton and Eli Manning, who co-host alternate broadcasts of “Monday Night Football” on ESPN2.

The primary Denver-Green Bay broadcast will air locally on KUSA-TV and nationally on NFL Network. Kickoff between the Broncos and Packers has been set for 6:00 p.m. MT (8:00 p.m. ET). Fans can stream the NFLN broadcast of Sunday’s game on fuboTV (try it free).

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Chris Harris recalls practicing against ‘amazing’ Peyton Manning

“I’ve never seen a quarterback that was so perfect on timing,” Chris Harris said of Peyton Manning. “He threw the most catchable football.”

Peyton Manning played the final four years of his accomplished career with the Denver Broncos from 2012-2015, overlapping with star cornerback Chris Harris.

During a recent interview with Kay Adams on the “Up & Adams Show,” Harris recalled going up against Manning in practice for four years.

“He was amazing at practice,” Harris told Adams. “If we’re playing in a rain game, he’s out there he’s dipping his hand in water, the ball in water. He’s getting ready for all the effects on the field, the elements. Peyton was just super prepared all the time. He got me better at coming out of my breaks. When you play defensive back, you’ve to be able to be coming out of your breaks at the top of the route.

“Say if it’s a comeback [route], you’ve got to be able to come back fast with that route. The thing about Peyton was the ball would already be out of his hands before the guy even makes his break, and then bam, hits him in the chest. I’ve never seen a quarterback that was so perfect on timing. The receivers had to be exactly where he wanted them to be. If they were there, the ball was going to hit them in the chest. He threw the most catchable football.”

Harris was part of a “No Fly Zone” secondary that helped Denver win Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season. He believes facing Manning in practice helped the team’s defensive backs reach the next level.

“He got us ready,” Harris said. “It was always back and forth. That’s what made us better.”

You can watch his full interview with Adams below:

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