BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – With six talented safeties in training camp and only five job openings, the Bears knew that they would ultimately be faced with a difficult decision. 

So rather than cutting someone they felt could play in the NFL, the Bears solved the dilemma and received something in return Thursday when they traded Chris Harris to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for an undisclosed 2008 draft pick.

Bears coach Lovie Smith said that safety Chris Harris took the news of Thursday's trade "like a pro."

“You can only keep so many safeties,” said coach Lovie Smith. “We felt like on our roster, we had six that we felt real good about. You can’t keep six safeties; it’s as simple as that.”

The Bears’ top five safeties are starters Mike Brown and Adam Archuleta, top reserve Danieal Manning, third-year pro Brandon McGowan and fifth-round pick Kevin Payne.

While Harris’ departure likely will benefit Manning most in terms of playing time, McGowan and Payne will also receive more opportunities to get on the field.

“We wanted to get Brandon more reps,” Smith said. “I think he’s a good football player. We want to get more reps for Kevin Payne also, and this should allow them to get a few more.

“McGowan has played for us, and when he’s played he’s played well. We like Kevin Payne quite a bit.”

Harris departs after playing in 25 games with 20 starts in two seasons with the Bears, registering 124 tackles, five interceptions, one sack and one forced fumble. The 2005 sixth-round draft pick from Louisiana-Monroe became a surprise starter as a rookie, replacing veteran Mike Green after a Week 1 loss in Washington.

“Chris has meant a lot to us while he’s been around here,” Smith said. “He’s played good football for us. We have quite a bit of depth at the safety position, though, so it’s a great opportunity for him. I know Carolina has liked him for a while, and at the same time we feel good about our safety situation with the numbers that we have.

“It’s a part of the business, but when you’re a good football player, there’s always a place for you to play, so we’re happy for Chris.”

Harris was informed of the trade while practicing with the Bears Thursday. He left the field on a golf cart driven by senior director of pro personnel Bobby DePaul after an embrace and brief chat with Smith.

“The gist of it is I thanked him for everything he’s done for us and we talked about the next move for him,” Smith said, “how exciting that could be for him to have an opportunity to play.

“[He took it] like a pro. Chris is a pro. He knows that there’s a business side of it. Guys want an opportunity to play where they have their best chance to play, and I think this will be a good move for him.”

Bears veteran safety Mike Brown said that it was difficult to see Harris go.

“I’m kind of bummed out about it,” Brown said. “He was a big part of the secondary, not only the way that he played but his personality. He was fun to be around; one of the guys who kept the room loose, so he’s going to be missed."

"Chris was a great guy," Manning added. "I learned a lot from Chris. We shared a lot of time together in that backfield. Chris was a fierce competitor. He was a big hitter and he did a great job on special teams."