Jay Ratliff, cut by the Dallas Cowboys just two weeks ago, has signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears that could have him on the field when the two teams meet on Dec. 9., according to ESPN.

Ratliff and the Cowboys bitterly parted ways, as he last took the field almost a year ago, first suffering a groin injury and ultimately undergoing surgery for a sports hernia.

Ratliff also faces charges of driving while intoxicated stemming from an arrest earlier this year that came just six-weeks after then-Cowboys defensive end Josh Brent was involved in a crash that killed teammate Jerry Brown Jr. He is scheduled to go on trial in February.

A four-time Pro Bowler, Ratliff chose the Bears over the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins, according to ESPN.

The Bears are desperate for help at the position after losing Henry Melton, their best defender at the position, to a season-ending injury. In recent days, Ratliff's camp was also contacted by the Cincinnati Bengals, who lost defensive tackle Geno Atkins to a torn ACL on Thursday.

For much of the season, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones engaged in a war-of-words with Ratliff, even intimating that he might move to sue him. Ratliff has vowed that he will play this season.