NFL news: Bears’ Ben Johnson supports Mike Tomlin’s handling of Ramsey-Chase controversy
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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson backed Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ahead of the teams’ matchup this weekend after Tomlin began defending cornerback Jalen Ramsey’s actions following a heated argument last weekend.
Speaking to reporters before hosting Pittsburgh on Sunday, the NFL’s first-year coach praised his counterpart’s success in the league. Johnson spoke at length about Tomlin before addressing Ramsey’s recent remarks regarding his removal from the team’s Week 11 win against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin takes a timeout during the second quarter of the NFL Week 11 game between the Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers led 10-6 at halftime. (IMAGN)
“The fact that he hasn’t had a losing season. It’s incredible. It’s absolutely incredible to think that he’s been a head coach for this long and has consistently had wins,” Johnson began.
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“He sets the bar very high and has nothing but respect for it. How he runs his business, he holds his players accountable – I think you’ve seen that even this week in some of the quotes about a player being spat on. His reaction to that, I mean, he’s 100% justified in my opinion.”
Johnson said Tomlin “hit the nail on the head” when discussing the incident in which Ramsey grabbed Ja’Marr Chase’s face mask before punching him. Ramsey accused the star receiver of spitting on him, causing him to react physically.
Ramsey was ejected, but Chase was later suspended by the league following an investigation of the saliva allegations.
Jalen Ramsey #5 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks off the field before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Justin Berl/Getty Images)
STEELERS’ MIKE TOMLIN WEWS ON JALEN RAMSEY’S EXCLUSION AFTER SPITTING INCIDENT WITH JA’MARR CHASE
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Tomlin weighed in on the incident.
“I was aware of it. I certainly spoke to Jalen in-game; it’s unfortunate. This is not common behavior in the game of football, it has nothing to do with football,” Tomlin said. “So I will not comment on this matter. The NFL office has made its decision on this matter and we are moving forward.”
When asked later about texting Ramsey, Tomlin didn’t offer much. But he made his stance pretty clear on Ramsey’s response to the spitting incident.
Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson watches his team during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field in Chicago on August 10, 2025. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
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“If someone spits in your face, I have no message. Do what comes naturally.”
The Steelers head to Chicago hoping to have Aaron Rodgers on the field despite the quarterback’s broken wrist.
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