Broncos DL Shelby Harris Makes it Clear He's Looking for Major Payday in Free Agency

The Denver Broncos have a slew of players slated to hit free agency this offseason, including safeties Justin Simmons and Will Parks, cornerback Chris Harris Jr, and defensive lineman duo Derek Wolfe and Shelby Harris.

The latter has already declared his interest in returning to the Mile-High City, but, after news broke that he partnered with agent Drew Rosenhaus, it became feasible to think that Harris would pursue a lucrative contract in free agency.

Well, the Illinois State product confirmed just that during an appearance on NFL insider Ian Rapoport's "RapSheet+Friends" podcast this week in Miami.

It's moving to hear that Harris is seeking an expensive deal with the sole purpose of securing financial security for his kids, and future grandchildren. He knows that, at 28 years old, this will be his one shot at getting paid handsomely for his work inside the trenches.

Of course, there's no telling whether Denver will permit Harris to test the open market, but it also remains to be seen if they are willing to cough up the necessary funds to keep him in town. He'd still like to stay.

Harris is fresh off assembling his most productive campaign since entering the league as a seventh-round selection (No.235) of the Oakland Raiders back in 2014. The 6-2, 290-pound DL registered 49 combined tackles, eight of which came for losses, six sacks, one forced fumble, and a whopping nine pass deflections.

We'll know soon enough if those numbers warrant a steep contract. Harris certainly thinks they do.