KUSA – Details of the $3 million incentive package the Broncos worked out for cornerback Chris Harris Jr. have been reported to the league.
Given Harris’ past production, much of the $3 million is makable -- but he’s going to need the Broncos to be a better team than they were in 2017.
This $3 million incentive possibility is on top of the $8.5 million Harris is already scheduled to make in salary ($7.4 million), option bonus ($1 million) and workout bonus ($100,000) during the 2018 season.
A breakdown of Harris’ incentives:
Interceptions ($500,000 maximum)
*If he gets three interceptions, he gets a $200,000 bump. If he gets five interceptions, he’ll make $500,000.
Harris had three picks for three consecutive seasons from 2012-14. He’s had two interceptions in each of the past three seasons. He’s never had a five-interception season.
All Pro ($500,000)
*If Harris makes first- or second-team All Pro, he makes an extra $500,000.
He was second team All Pro in 2015, first-team All Pro in 2016.
Playing time and wins ($900,000)
*65 percent playing time and 6 wins by the Broncos nets Harris a $300,000 bonus.
*75 percent playing time and 8 wins, $300,000 bonus. (for $600,000 total)
*85 percent playing time and 10 wins, $300,000 bonus. (for $900,000).
Harris had 87.9 percent playing time last year even while sitting out most of the meaningless finale against Kansas City. He regularly plays north of 90 percent of defensive snaps.
Postseason ($1.1 million)
*Playoffs, $300,000
*Super Bowl, $300,000
*Super Bowl MVP, $500,000
In summary, it’s not unrealistic to think Harris can make at least an extra $800,000 ($200,000 bonus for three picks; $600,000 bonus if he has 75 percent playing time and the Broncos win 8).
If he has three picks, the Broncos make the playoffs with 10 wins and Harris makes an All Pro team with 85 percent playing time – all thresholds he has achieved multiple times in his career – he can make an extra $1.9 million.
Then again, had these incentive markers been applied to the 2017 season, Harris would have made an extra $0. He had two interceptions, he didn’t make an All Pro team and the Broncos only won five games.
This is why incentive plans were invented: They not only help motivate a player to play well, they motivate the player to help his team play well.
