Pritchard: Broncos can’t let Chris Harris Jr. hit free agency market

Nov 21, 2018, 1:24 PM Updated: 1:24 pm

Chris Harris Jr. #25 of the Denver Broncos looks on during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens won 27-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Don’t look now, but Chris Harris Jr. is quietly having another Pro Bowl-caliber season for the Denver Broncos.

Consistently among the NFL’s elite cornerbacks — he’s ranked ninth by Pro Football Focus through 10 games — Harris could demand a hefty salary should he make it to the free agency market in 2020, a place in which “Pritchard and Cecil” co-host Mike Pritchard said he hopes Harris never gets.

“If that guy hits the free market, watch out,” Pritchard said Wednesday. “Watch out.”

Harris signed a five-year contract extension in December 2014 to the tune of $42.5 million, according to Spotrac.com.

Pritchard said what makes Harris so valuable is his ability to cover wide receivers both outside and in the slot position, calling him the best nickel cornerback in the National Football League.

“Chris is an anomaly. Chris Harris Jr. is a guy who can play inside and also can play outside and be an All-Pro at both,” Pritchard said. “So, those kind of guys are at a premium, and, certainly, if you’re the Broncos, you don’t want to let him go.”

In fact, perhaps trading Demaryius Thomas freed up cap space possibly to extend Harris, Pritchard said.

“He cannot become a guy that you’re going to have on your team entering into the last year of his contract. He has to have an extension,” Pritchard said. “Maybe that’s why you trade Demaryius Thomas. You make room for stuff like that.

“Maybe that’s why you adjust certain contracts in the offseason. Because you need to make room for a guy. You cannot allow him to enter any type of situation where he’s going to be a free agent.”

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