The Chicago Bears have traded veteran safety Kevin Payne to the St. Louis Rams, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

In exchange for Payne, the Rams have sent the Bears an undisclosed conditional draft choice.

Payne has started 22 games over his three seasons with the Bears, who chose him in the fifth-round (167th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft out of Louisiana-Monroe. Payne set career highs in 2008, when he started all 16 games, totaling 88 tackles, 1 quarterback sack, and four interceptions, averaging 36.8 yards per return.

Payne (6-0, 212) started just 5 of 13 games last season, and was credited with 46 tackles and 5 pass break-ups. The acquisition of Chris Harris on Tuesday made Payne expendable.

Signed through the 2010 season, Payne will earn $1.101 million dollars this season.