Bears moving on without Jeremiah Ratliff, but it’s not easy

The release of Jeremiah Ratliff left a void in the defense of the Bears. It also left a void in meeting rooms, the defensive huddles, everywhere that Ratliff was a presence both on and off the field.

“He was definitely a leader in this locker room,” said defensive lineman Will Sutton. “When ‘Rat’ talks, everybody’s wide-eyed, paying attention to what he has to say, because he’s done it. It hurts a little bit, him not being there, but we have [Pernell] McPhee and Antrel [Rolle] still giving guidance.

“It just hurts us on the D-line not having that main guy we can look up to.”

For several Bears, it was particularly personal.

“That’s like my brother,” said linebacker Willie Young. “I learned so…