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LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Reached via telephone after being traded back to the Bears Tuesday, veteran safety Chris Harris sounded like he wanted to run through the tunnel at Soldier Field immediately.

“I’m very excited,” Harris said. “I had a great time in Carolina. The fans and the organization were great. But I’m ecstatic to be able to come back to where I began my NFL career.”
The Bears dealt linebacker Jamar Williams to the Panthers for Harris, who played his first two NFL seasons in Chicago after arriving in 2005 as a sixth-round draft pick.

Harris, 27, appeared in 25 games with 20 starts in his first stint with the Bears, registering 124 tackles, five interceptions and 10 passes defensed. He picked off Brett Favre twice in a division-clinching win over the Packers in 2005 and later intercepted Peyton Manning the following season in Super Bowl XLI.

Harris started 44 games in three seasons with the Panthers, all at strong safety. He led the NFL and set a Carolina franchise record with eight forced fumbles in 2007. After missing the first three games last season with a knee injury, he recorded 44 tackles and three interceptions.

Harris, who was traded from the Bears to the Panthers in August 2007, never expected to be dealt again, let alone back to Chicago. He was told Monday he was going to be traded, but didn’t know where until Tuesday.

“I was extremely surprised,” he said. “That was quite a surprise for me when I found out that I was going to be going, but didn’t know where. And then to find out that I was going to the Bears, I was very surprised to say the least.”

Harris enjoyed hearing that Lovie Smith had pointed out that the safety’s last game with the Bears was Super Bowl XLI and that the coach said “hopefully he can help us get some of that magic back.”

“That’s what I’m hoping for,” Harris said. “Last time I was there we won an NFC championship, and we’re all searching for that ring. Hopefully we can get that ring this year.”

After the trade was completed, Harris spoke with Brian Urlacher, Hunter Hillenmeyer, Devin Hester and Kevin Payne. Harris is also eager to reconnect with Julius Peppers, his teammate with the Panthers the past three seasons.

“It was great playing with him,” Harris said. “He’s a competitor. He’s a warrior. He’s a heck of a pass rusher. He demands double and triple teams, which ought to free up some other guys on the defensive line. He’s a force to be reckoned with. He will be a great addition to the Bears defense.”

The Bears feel the same way about Harris, who can’t wait to once again play for the home team at Soldier Field.

“I remember the crowd screaming on third down and the song, ‘Bear Down, Chicago Bears,’” he said. “One memory I have is the NFC championship game, with that snow. That’s a great memory of mine.”