By Dean Michaels

The Chicago Bears released safety Chris Harris a little more than a week after the former Pro Bowler requested a trade after being benched in an Oct. 16 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

"This caught me as a surprise and it didn't catch me as a surprise," Harris said Thursday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "It caught me as a surprise coming off a start and then going into the office on Thursday and being told I'm being released.

"But then again it doesn't catch me as a surprise because in the seven years I've been in the league I've experienced the highs and lows. I've been traded and things of that nature. I've been benched. I've come to realize that in this business nothing is for certain."

Harris actually started the Bears win over Tampa Bay Sunday in London, but Chicago chose to release him Thursday.

The 2010 Pro Bowler caught criticism after returning from inury only to allow a 73-yard strike to Calvin Johnson in a loss to the Lions

Rookie Chris Conte figures to be the starter along with second-year safety Major Wright.

NFL 2011 - Chicago Bears Release Chris Harris; Safety Requested Trade After Benching