Outside linebacker Charles Harris had a feeling that he might have landed in a spot that would advance his career when he signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions last year.
One year later, Harris can look back and know he made a choice that was good for him and good for the Lions' defense.
Harris had the best season of his career playing on a "prove-it" contract in his fifth NFL season.
He set personal highs with 7.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hits and 10 tackles for loss. His vision that he could have a long-term relationship with the Lions was not a dream.
"I'm not going to say I was shocked," Harris said at a press conference Friday morning. "People were asking me a year ago, 'why were you signing here?' I was saying 'It's the culture.'
"Just the city itself. All the little small factors. All the players want to be here."
Harris was comfortable with the environment, and the way he was used on the field helped him make an impact.
"Really good scheme," he said. "The coaches set me in the right position."
Harris was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the first round in 2017. For whatever reason, he made little impact there. He had 3.5 sacks in 41 games with eight starts in three seasons with the Dolphins.
Harris fared slightly better with the Atlanta Falcons in 2020. He had three sacks in 13 games, with one start.
Harris knew he might be running out of opportunities when he signed with the Lions in 2021.
"It was in the back of my mind," he said. "It wasn't really something that worried me, if that makes sense. I understand how the game works."
View photos of Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris.
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) celebrates after a sack during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on September 20, 2021 in Green Bay, WI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) during a NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on December 26, 2021 in Atlanta, GA. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) during a NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on December 26, 2021 in Atlanta, GA. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) and Detroit Lions outside linebacker Jessie Lemonier (52) celebrate during a NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 19, 2021 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53), Detroit Lions defensive end Michael Brockers (91), Detroit Lions defensive end Nick Williams (97), and Detroit Lions outside linebacker Jessie Lemonier (52) celebrate after a sack during a NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 19, 2021 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) during a NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on December 12, 2021 in Denver, CO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) during a NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 19, 2021 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53), Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) during a NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 19, 2021 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53), Detroit Lions defensive end Nick Williams (97) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, December 5, 2021 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during a NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 19, 2021 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, December 5, 2021 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) during a NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, November 25, 2021 in Detroit, MI. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) during a NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, November 21, 2021 in Cleveland, OH. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) during a NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, November 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) during a NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on October 3, 2021 in Chicago, IL. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) during a NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, October 17, 2021 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) during a NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on October 3, 2021 in Chicago, IL. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, January 9, 2022 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, January 9, 2022 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Harris is looking to improve on his performance in 2021. A change in the defense could do that. The Lions are switching to a predominantly 4-3 defense this year from the 3-4 defense they ran last year.
Harris won't have to drop into coverage as often as he did in a 3-4. He'll be able to use his quickness and agility to get to the passer.
He developed a comfortable level that should allow him to build on what he accomplished in 2021.
"I know what I've done," he said. "I know what works. I know what I can do. It's a better feeling to know I have the game plan now. It's a lot clearer."
