Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman has insisted that he will not play as a safety next year in the NFL, whether he stays at the club or moves elsewhere.

Chicago have brought in a number of players in Tillman's position, which has led to speculation regarding his future, and he has said that he would have no problem leaving in order to play in his favoured role.

"I don't want to play safety anywhere," NFL.com quotes Tillman as saying. "My gut is I will be on an NFL team next year.

"Everyone knows how the process works. It's a business. If I'm here, sweet. If I'm not, that's business. There's no hard feelings. I love Chicago. Chicago's been nothing but great - great owners, great organisation, great teammates."

Tillman has played for the Bears his entire career since being drafted in 2003.