Reports have Ratliff, cut loose by the Dallas Cowboys, having spent time with the Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs and, most recently, the Miami Dolphins.
Next up: the Cincinnati Bengals, who must find a replacement for Geno Atkins. Whether the battered, 32-year-old Ratliff can plug the hole is an open question.
Ratliff, a defensive tackle, departed the Cowboys in what the team, according to some reports, believes was akin to desertion. Reports during the week hinted at legal action against Ratliff should he sign with another team.
And other teams are interested. The Bengals are said to have called with an inquiry about Ratliff. Atkins' injury on Thursday night did considerable damage to their hope of winning the AFC North.
Atkins will have surgery for a torn ACL in his right knee. The Bengals' defense is sawn by injuries, leaving it vulnerable every week.
The Bears, too, have problems at defensive tackle after losing Henry Melton and Nate Collins to knee injuries, SN's Vinnie Iyer noted this week.
Ratliff has experience in 3-4 and 4-3 fronts, so he could be ready to step in with a new team. In fact, Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer spent two seasons coaching Ratliff with the Cowboys.
The Cowboys released Ratliff in October after he failed to make progress from a hamstring injury. Questions have arisen as to whether he wasn't truthful about his health and wanted to leave the team.
Since he hasn't played this season it is uncertain how long Ratliff would need to get into shape.
In addition to his sore hamstring, Ratliff is dealing with an abdominal injury from training camp and residuals from a December sports hernia surgery.
