The Las Vegas Raiders have already made some big moves in the 2020 offseason. While bringing in players like Cory Littleton, Nick Kwiatkoski, Eli Apple, Jeff Heath, Carl Nassib and Maliek Collins to aid their defense will make all of the headlines, they did miss out on one of their top targets.
Former Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. has moved on from one AFC West rival to another. Harris has reportedly signed a two-year, $17 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers despite being rumored to be one of the Raiders’ main targets in free agency in order to add some depth to their secondary.
Those rumors were proven to be true as Harris revealed the reason for picking the Chargers over the Raiders. According to Mike Klis of 9News Denver, Harris received a multi-year offer from the Raiders, but felt uncomfortable signing with them:
“I had a three-year deal from them but I just didn’t feel comfortable with them,” Harris said. “I liked the Chargers’ defense. (Joey) Bosa. (Melvin) Ingram. Casey Hayward, Derwin James and Desmond King. I liked their secondary. I feel like I fit right in with those boys.”
There is no denying that the Chargers will have a strong defensive force. While Harris would have made a great addition to the Raiders’ defense, Las Vegas quickly pivoted with the signing of Apple.
Apple will hopefully add some kind of veteran presence to a very young Raiders team. Trayvon Mullen proved his worth in his rookie season and could head into 2020 as the team’s top cornerback.
Of course the Raiders have a dynamic duo on the frontline thanks to Maxx Crosby and Clelin Ferrell as well. There is no doubt that those two will headline the Raiders’ defense next season along with Mullen, Littleton and Johnathan Abram.
Even though Harris felt the fit in Las Vegas was not for him, hopefully, the Raiders’ management feels satisfied with the group of cornerbacks they have secured so far. They will, of course, be going up against the Chargers twice every year, so will certainly have a chance to prove to Harris that he made the wrong decision.
