Undrafted out of Kansas following the 2011 NFL lockout, Chris Harris Jr. signed with the Denver Broncos carrying a tiny $2,000 bonus and minimal expectations. He erased those long odds almost immediately, earning a roster spot through sheer competitive drive and appearing in all 16 games as a rookie. By his second season, "Strap" had established himself as one of the most tenacious, technically sound nickel cornerbacks in the entire league.

Harris emerged as an indispensable cornerstone of Denver's fearsome "No-Fly Zone" secondary alongside Aqib Talib, Darian Stewart, and T.J. Ward. Exceptional at smothering slot receivers and possessing the fluid hips to lock down the perimeter, Harris went more than two full calendar years without allowing a touchdown pass. His lockdown coverage proved vital during Denver's Super Bowl 50 championship run, with his fourth-down tackle of Julian Edelman in the AFC Title game and key playmaking in the big game helping seal the franchise's third Lombardi Trophy.

Between 2014 and 2018, Harris earned four Pro Bowl selections and a First-Team All-Pro nod in 2016. His rare blend of instincts, open-field tackling, and positional versatility earned him a spot on the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team.

After nine seasons in the Mile High City, Harris departed as a free agent in 2020, spending two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers and a final year with the New Orleans Saints. He officially hung up his cleats in 2024, signing a ceremonial contract to retire as a Denver Bronco. With the Broncos, Harris compiled 20 interceptions, 518 combined tackles, 86 pass deflections, and six forced fumbles.