Denver Broncos and CB Chris Harris Jr. agree to five-year extension
![Denver Broncos and CB Chris Harris Jr. agree to five-year extension Denver Broncos and CB Chris Harris Jr. agree to five-year extension](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/MTY4MTk3MDg0NDY5NjY3NzQx/denver-broncos-and-cb-chris-harris-agree-to-five-year-contract-extension.gif)
The Denver Broncos and cornerback Chris Harris Jr. have agreed to a five-year extension, the team confirmed on Friday evening.
According to Mike Klis at the Denver Post, the total value of the deal is $42.5 million. The deal will make Harris Jr., who is Denver's No. 2 cornerback behind Aqib Talib, the highest paid No. 2 cornerback in the NFL. His deal is 12th in yearly average among the league's cornerbacks.
The new deal goes through 2019, and includes a $10 million signing bonus and $24 million in guaranteed money. Harris Jr. will be paid $18 million in the first two years of the agreement, equal to what Talib will receive over the same period.
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Harris Jr. joined the Broncos as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2011, receiving a $2,000 signing bonus and beginning as a special teams player and as the No. 4 cornerback. He became a starter during the 2012 season.
Harris Jr., 25, started this season recovering from a partial ACL tear he sustained during the team's win over the San Diego Chargers in the divisional playoffs last season.
Harris Jr. and the Broncos began talks November. According to Pro Football Focus, he has held quarterbacks to a 46.9 rating on throws to his side of the field. He also hasn't allowed a 50-yard receiving day or a touchdown in 2014.
In 60 games with Denver, he has recorded 236 tackles, 44 passes defensed, 3.5 sacks, 10 interceptions, two touchdowns, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.
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Harris Jr., received the third-largest extension ever granted by Denver general manager John Elway, behind fellow cornerback Champ Bailey's four-year, $43 million deal in 2011 and left tackle Ryan Clady's five-year, $52.5 million agreement last year.
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