CHICAGO -- Just over a week after requesting a trade, Chicago Bears safety Chris Harris was released on Thursday morning.
"I was just released this morning by the Bears. Thank u for the opp to play football n do what I luv. I'm looking toward my next venture," Harris tweeted.
A seven-year veteran, Harris was a second-team All-Pro last season and started the club's season-opening victory over the Atlanta Falcons but pulled a hamstring toward the end of the game.
Harris sat out the next three weeks recovering and returned to the lineup for an Oct. 10 loss to the Detroit Lions. In that contest, Calvin Johnson beat Harris deep for a 73-yard touchdown from Matthew Stafford.
Just three days later, the team made the decision to bench Harris. The safety was available to play as a potential backup in the Oct. 16 win over the Minnesota Vikings, but the team made the decision hours before kickoff to deactivate Harris.
The next day, Harris requested permission to seek a trade. The trade deadline passed without a move, and Harris actually started against Tampa Bay on Sunday in London.
"Considering that he was benched, I can't say I'm surprised," Harris' agent Albert Elias said of the Bears' decision to release Harris.
Rookie Chris Conte started in place of Harris the past two games.
"This Business known as the #NFL is a strange one. Chicago I want to thank u for all the luv u have shown me over the yrs. u will b missed," Harris tweeted.
In his second stint with the Bears after the club traded last year with Carolina to bring him back, Harris was in the final year of the contract he signed upon returning.
Harris, 29, has played in 88 career games with 82 starts over seven seasons, and has posted 416 tackles and 15 interceptions, in addition to forcing 12 fumbles.
"I was just released this morning by the Bears. Thank u for the opp to play football n do what I luv. I'm looking toward my next venture," Harris tweeted.
A seven-year veteran, Harris was a second-team All-Pro last season and started the club's season-opening victory over the Atlanta Falcons but pulled a hamstring toward the end of the game.
Harris sat out the next three weeks recovering and returned to the lineup for an Oct. 10 loss to the Detroit Lions. In that contest, Calvin Johnson beat Harris deep for a 73-yard touchdown from Matthew Stafford.
Just three days later, the team made the decision to bench Harris. The safety was available to play as a potential backup in the Oct. 16 win over the Minnesota Vikings, but the team made the decision hours before kickoff to deactivate Harris.
The next day, Harris requested permission to seek a trade. The trade deadline passed without a move, and Harris actually started against Tampa Bay on Sunday in London.
"Considering that he was benched, I can't say I'm surprised," Harris' agent Albert Elias said of the Bears' decision to release Harris.
Rookie Chris Conte started in place of Harris the past two games.
"This Business known as the #NFL is a strange one. Chicago I want to thank u for all the luv u have shown me over the yrs. u will b missed," Harris tweeted.
In his second stint with the Bears after the club traded last year with Carolina to bring him back, Harris was in the final year of the contract he signed upon returning.
Harris, 29, has played in 88 career games with 82 starts over seven seasons, and has posted 416 tackles and 15 interceptions, in addition to forcing 12 fumbles.
