Chris

Harris

It was part of an announcement of eight names that the Jets had preliminary interviews with, those other names are: Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda, Packers defensive run game coordinator DeMarcus Covington, Vikings defensive passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach Daronte Jones, Broncos assistant head coach and defensive passing game coordinator Jim Leonhard, internal Jets DB coach and defensive pass game coordinator Chris Harris, and Lions safeties coach Jim O’Neil. (Mathieu Araujo, the Dolphins cornerbacks coach, was also revealed earlier today.) Martindale hasn’t had any outside interest since last offseason, when he interviewed for the Falcons and Colts defensive coordinator roles.

Harris was interviewed for the Jets defensive coordinator role, but that job ended up going to Steve Wilks. Now, Harris will join the Jets in a role that is yet to be determined but will likely mirror the one he previously held in Tennessee when he was the pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach.

Harris, who parted ways with the Titans at the end of the regular season, is in the running to work as Aaron Glenn’s defensive coordinator. Glenn said he won’t call plays as New York’s head coach. Harris has taken on various roles with the Titans, Commanders, Chargers, and Bears since entering the coaching ranks in 2012 following his NFL career as a safety. Tennessee’s defense last season allowed the NFL’s fifth highest drop back EPA.

Harris was snatched up this offseason by the Titans to coach defensive backs after a similar role in Washington the past few seasons, but Harris has interviewed with the Eagles in 2021, the Colts in 2022, and the 49ers and Texans this offseason for defensive coordinator positions. He’s definitely a plausible candidate as the Texans try to firm up what’s happening under DeMeco Ryans.

Retired as a player since 2012, Harris has been an assistant since 2013. He just landed in Tennessee from Washington. He is also expected to serve as the defensive passing game coordinator in Nashville. Although it would be unusual to move on without coaching a down in Tennessee, the Niners’ gig would be a massive upgrade, one that keeps serving as a springboard to head-coaching gigs.

Harris will also serve as Tennessee’s defensive pass game coordinator. A riser in the coaching ranks, Harris spent the past three seasons in Washington, overseeing a secondary that allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards per game (191.3) last year. Harris looks destined for a defensive coordinator role in 2024. The Titans won’t block Harris if something opens up for him this offseason.

Harris joins Jaguars DC Joe Cullen as the first two candidates to interview. An NFL safety from 2005-2012, Harris has been a fast riser in the coaching ranks, interviewing for the Eagles’ defensive coordinator job last offseason. Washington’s secondary took a step back under Harris this season, but the 39-year-old is in the mix to replace Matt Eberflus.

Harris, a longtime Bears safety before ending his career with the Jaguars, just finished his first year as Washington’s defensive backs coach. The Football Team’s secondary was a solid unit throughout the season, helped by the team’s vicious defensive line. Harris has coached for the Bears and the Chargers, where he was credited with developing first-round pick Derwin James in one of the NFL’s most dominant secondaries at the time. Harris would face the Football Team twice a season if he lands the Philadelphia gig.

Fellow safety Major Wright (head, questionable) is also inactive. Career backup Craig Steltz and Brandon Meriweather will presumably start. RB Marion Barber, WR Earl Bennett, T Gabe Carimi, DT Stephen Paea and DT Corey Wootton round out the inactives.

Coach Lovie Smith conceded that Harris was a “little sore” after sitting out Thursday’s practice. Brandon Meriweather is expected to fill in alongside Major Wright if Harris can’t go against the Panthers.