I’m hearing the Bears aren’t expected to enter the trade market for Panthers receiver Steve Smith, although that could change, of course. One Bears players who has played with Smith in the past believes he would be a great addition.
“If the opportunity is there, why not?” safety Chris Harris said Thursday on “The Waddle & Silvy Show” on ESPN 1000. “You can never have enough big-time playmakers on your team.
“We have plenty of those on our team now. It definitely wouldn’t hurt to have another one.”
Harris played for the Panthers for three seasons before returning to the Bears before the 2010 season. He maintains a residence in Charlotte.
Smith has asked to be traded to a Super Bowl contender rather than return to an offense that was the league’s least effective last season. The Ravens and Chargers are believed to be interested in acquiring him in a trade.
“I’ve been working out with Steve during this lockout,” Harris said. “He’s in great shape. “He’s looking just as good as he has been the previous years, so I’m trying to persuade him a little bit if things can go that way.
“But I think we have great receivers in the system that we have right now. They made that thing work last year in the first year [under offensive coordinator Mike Martz]. I figure in the second year they’ll really flourish.”
Smith, 32, is signed through the 2012 season.
