Chris Harris Jr asks Broncos for new deal or trade: How did we get here?

Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris Jr. gave an ultimatum to the Denver Broncos on Tuesday, reportedly asking the team to either work with him on a new contract or trade him.

Harris’ request is just the latest posture in a contract dispute that’s been building since the beginning of the offseason and which appears to have come to a head just days before the 2019 NFL Draft.

So, how did Harris and the Broncos end up here? Here’s a timeline of recent events:

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What has happened

December 2014
» Harris and the Broncos agree on a four-year, $42.5 million contract extension through the 2019 season

January 2015
» Harris earns the first of three consecutive Pro Bowl nods (four total)

January 2017
» Harris named to first, and only to date, first-team All-Pro roster

April 2018
» Broncos add $3 million in incentives to Harris’ salary on top of his $7.4 million base salary and roughly $1 million in bonuses

December 2, 2018
» Harris fractures his fibula in his right leg against the Cincinnati Bengals

December 19, 2018
» Harris placed on injured reserve after Broncos are mathematically eliminated from the postseason

January 27, 2019
» Fully-recovered from a broken fibula, Harris plays in his fourth Pro Bowl

Late February 2019
» Representatives for Harris and the Broncos reportedly meet during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

March 24, 2019
» Broncos GM John Elway says from the NFL Owners Meetings in Arizona that the team would not “talk about any extensions on any of our guys” until after the draft in late April, including Harris

April 2, 2019
» The Broncos begin its voluntary offseason workout program without Harris, who reportedly wanted his contract situation addressed sooner rather than later

April 23, 2019
» In a pre-draft press conference, Elway reiterates he wouldn’t talk about an extension with Harris until after the draft, saying even then, “It doesn’t mean we’re going to do it.”
» Elway also says he’s not thought about the prospect of trading Harris
» ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports Harris has given the Broncos an ultimatum, requesting either a new deal or to be traded
» Mike Klis of 9News reports Harris seeks $15 million-plus in average annual salary with a new deal
» Denver 7 Insider Troy Renck reports Harris’ ultimatum was a result of Elway’s tone during his pre-draft press conference

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What is upcoming

April 25-27, 2019
» The NFL Draft commences from Nashville, Tennessee

May 13-31, 2019
» The Broncos will host several offseason workouts

June 4-6, 2019
» Denver will host its mandatory minicamp

June 18, 2019
» Harris turns 30 years old

The week of July 15, 2019
» The estimated first week of Broncos training camp

August 1, 2019
» The Broncos kick off their 2019 preseason slate with the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio

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Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.