Champ Bailey on Chris Harris Jr. contract dispute: ‘I got a feeling he’ll get paid’

With the conclusion of the 2019 NFL Draft, Broncos Country anxiously awaits a resolution between Chris Harris Jr. and the Denver Broncos.

There is growing speculation that because the Broncos did not select a cornerback in the draft, Harris will play for the team in 2019. Harris has made it clear that he feels underpaid and disrespected. Meanwhile, there is the perception that General Manager John Elway expects Harris to fulfill the last year of his contract regardless of whether there is an extension.

Days ago on, “The Safety Blitz,” Nick Ferguson asked former teammate and 2019 NFL Hall-of-Fame inductee Champ Bailey about Harris’ contract situation.

“Well it’s unfortunate you know for Chris, because I think the last three or four years he’s been underpaid,” said Bailey, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame Aug. 3 in Canton.

Bailey, who at one time had a contract dispute of his own with the Broncos, was a former teammate of Harris.

“Every time I look at the tape, nothing changes about his game,” Bailey added. “He just balls. I don’t know what else he has to do to get his due.”

Photo by John Leyba / The Denver Post

Prior to the draft, Harris requested a trade or contract that would pay him $15 million per year. This year, he is set to earn $7.8 million in base salary which is far below the average salary among active cornerbacks.

While both the Broncos and Harris have alluded to the possibility of mending fences, nothing has been resolved.

Bailey believes eventually Harris Jr. will get the paycheck he deserves but that may or may not be Denver.

“I got a feeling he’ll get paid, whether it’s with Denver or somewhere else. Hopefully it’s with Denver,” Bailey said. “We all know John Elway doesn't pay until he has to. When that time comes, I’m sure he’ll pull the trigger.”