Chris Harris, Chicago Bears safety, was working out during the lockout with the Carolina Panthers’ Steve Smith, former teammate, and part of the workout regimen that Harris had was as a recruiter, as found out by betting shop services.

According to the Charlotte Observer, late last season, Smith went to the home of Jerry Richardson, Panthers owner, and asked to be traded. Betting shop services found out that Harris, who was playing with Smith for three seasons in Carolina, believes that it would make sense if the Bears could somehow acquire Smith, and many of the player’s fans, including those with a betting site, also believe that it would be a good idea.

“If the opportunity is there, why not?” 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.”

Betting shop services learned that Smith, 32 years-old, is set to turn into a free agent in 2013.

“I’ve been working out with Steve during this lockout. He’s in great shape,” Harris said. “He’s looking just as good as he’s 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 under that.”

Harris was trying to encourage Smith as he offered to be a tour guide.

“I’ve heard the rumors. I’ve heard the rumors of him, the rumors of Santana Moss, I’ve heard all those rumors,” Harris said. “So I’ve heard that rumor about him and Chicago, and I was messing with him telling him I can show you around the city if you come on down next season.”

Fans everywhere, including those with a betting site, would like to know what the player decides to do, and developments will be very closely followed by fans and betting shop services everywhere.