The Chicago Bears are dealing with a number of injuries and while Jay Cutler is out for a couple more weeks, free agent Tim Tebow is not seen as an option and with the team struggling up front on defense, the Bears decided to sign free agent Jay Ratliff after his release from the Dallas Cowboys.
According to ESPN.com, Ratliff signed with the team after debating between the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals, deciding that the Bears were the best fit for him this season. Ratliff has not been able to suit up for a game this season and he is 32-years-old, but if he can play and stay healthy, he could be a boost for a pass rush that has not been very strong, while he also could help boost a team that ranks in the bottom half of the league in both passing and rushing yards allowed per game.
Tebow has been mentioned as an experiment possibility for the Bears with Cutler out, but the team has shown no interest in him and they are happy with Josh McCown starting for Jay Cutler. The team signed Jordan Palmer and now they have the chance to try and turn things around after a bye week with a game on Monday night football. Ratliff likely will not play in that game after being released by the Cowboys due to a failed physical and one reason the reports says he picked the Bears was due to their defensive scheme.
The Bears did not initially look at Ratliff as an option, as he was dealing with a groin issue and they thought it was too serious for him to get back this season, but after looking at him the team opted to bring him in instead. The team has needed more bodies since losing Henry Melton to a season ending surgery and while he won't be ready right away, Ratliff could be good to go in two to four weeks and that could mean a matchup with his former team in the Dallas Cowboys. Ratliff has missed this while season and he has not played since last season and now he has the chance to turn things around here in Chicago.
The Bears defense is giving up too many yards and has allowed over 110 per game on the ground and the team is also is allowing over 270 per game through the air and the addition of Ratliff could help with that. The offense has not been quite up to par and after playing against the Green Bay Packers on Monday night, the Bears have the Lions and then the Baltimore Ravens and after that are the St. Louis Rams and the Minnesota Vikings and if Ratliff comes back before then, he will get the chance to play his former team in the Dallas Cowboys for a Monday night football matchup. The end of the season has the Green Bay Packers again and in the two weeks before that are the Cleveland Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles and Ratliff could be a huge addition for later in the season.