The candour with which former Denver Broncos defensive tackle Shelby Harris discussed his 2022 trade to the Seattle Seahawks during a recent podcast interview struck a chord.
Harris discussed his feelings after being a part of the historic trade that sent quarterback Russell Wilson and a fourth-round pick to the Broncos in exchange for Harris, two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, tight end Noah Fant, and quarterback Drew Lock on May 24 in an interview with Nate Jackson on the “Dumb Jock Podcast.”
Harris added, “(General Manager of the Denver Broncos) George Paton called me.” “Bro, there’s no way,” I said. I feel like we’re going to be trash in Seattle, and I’m getting traded to purgatory. All I can recall is this one sensation, as if everyone was looking at me. Hey, you know how I said I cried like a baby? I thought, “Man, is this going to ruin my family’s whole relationship?” This place is really wonderful.
Harris signed a two-year, $9 million contract in March 2024 to play for the Cleveland Browns after spending one season with the Seahawks.
From FCS Star to NFL Veteran, Harris
Prior to moving to Illinois State, where he was chosen for the Missouri Valley Conference All-Star team in 2012, Harris began his collegiate career at Wisconsin.
Despite being kicked from the Illinois State team prior to the 2013 season for “conduct detrimental to the team,” he was chosen by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft and spent his first two seasons in Oakland.
Before making an impact with the Broncos in 2017, Harris was a member of the Dallas Cowboys practice squad and the New York Jets training camp in 2016.
Harris had five seasons with the Broncos, including two with 6.0 sacks in 2019 and 2021. In 2021, Harris signed a three-year, $27 million contract in Denver, the largest salary of his career.
2022 saw Harris have a successful season with the Seahawks, totaling 44 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and 15 starts. Alongside NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett for the Browns in 2023, Harris participated in all 17 games and finished with 28 tackles, 6 TFL, and 1.5 sacks in 7 starts.
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