Ryan Pace isn’t messing around in his first year as the general manager of the Chicago Bears.
Having traded away veterans Jonathan Bostic and Jared Allen already this season, he cut defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff after the two had a clash on Wednesday. Things were so heated that Ratliff was forcibly removed by security, per the Chicago Tribune. Per the report, Pace was actually stepping in to break up another altercation, after which time “Ratliff’s aggravation escalated again from there.”
Three police cars were seen outside team facilities following practice that day, though it’s not known to what extent they were involved in the final outcome.
“We felt moving forward without Jeremiah was in the best interest of our team,” Pace said in a statement released by the team. “We appreciate his contributions and wish him well.”
Ratliff is a four-time Pro Bowler, and he did managed 6.5 sacks a year ago. But his best days are clearly behind him. At the age of 34, he hasn’t been able to stay healthy for a full season 2011. In addition to his health issues, he also has a history of lashing out. Per the Tribune, he was escorted out of practice the day after Christmas last year after an altercation.
Coming off a three-game suspension for a DUI involving a crash from back in 2013, the team must have finally grown tired of his antics. And, given the team’s recent purge of veterans, it appears Ratliff is just going to be one of many older players who end up falling by the wayside as Pace builds the roster he desires.