National Football League

Bears agree to deal with Ratliff

Published Mar. 5, 2014 8:44 p.m. ET

foxsports

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) The Chicago Bears have agreed to a two-year contract with veteran defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff.

The Bears announced the move Wednesday night. They also terminated punter Adam Podlesh's contract.

A four-time Pro Bowl pick, Ratliff started four of the five games he played in after signing with Chicago in November. He spent the first six weeks with Dallas on the physically unable to perform list before being released in mid-October, with the Cowboys saying he failed a physical. Ratliff missed the final six games in 2012 with a groin injury that required surgery.

The Bears, who had one of their worst defensive seasons ever, saw enough good things to bring him back.

Ratliff had 14 1/2 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks with Chicago. In nine seasons with the Cowboys and Bears, he has 331 1/2 tackles and 28 1/2 sacks.

The Bears have signed 10 players who were due to become unrestricted free agents March 11, most of any team in the NFL.