Bears coach backs Mike Tomlin's 'do what comes natural' response to spitting controversy

Chicago Bears caput manager Ben Johnson backed Pittsburgh Steelers caput manager Mike Tomlin up of the teams’ matchup this play aft Tomlin appeared to support cornerback Jalen Ramsey’s actions pursuing past weekend’s spitting controversy. 

Speaking to reporters earlier hosting Pittsburgh connected Sunday, the first-year NFL caput manager was complimentary of his counterpart’s occurrence successful the league. Johnson spoke astatine magnitude astir Tomlin earlier touching connected his caller remarks astir Ramsey’s ejection from the team’s Week 11 triumph implicit the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Pittsburgh Steelers caput manager Mike Tomlin calls timeout successful the 2nd 4th of the NFL Week 11 crippled betwixt the Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals astatine Acrisure Stadium successful Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, connected Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. The Steelers led 10-6 astatine halftime. (IMAGN)

"The information that helium hadn’t had a losing season. It’s incredible. It’s perfectly unthinkable to deliberation that he’s been a caput manager arsenic agelong arsenic helium has and conscionable keeps churning retired wins," Johnson began.

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"He sets the barroom precise high, and thing but respect for him. How helium goes astir his business, helium holds his players accountable – I deliberation you saw it adjacent this week with immoderate of the quotes talking astir a subordinate getting spit at. His absorption to it, I mean, he’s 100% close arsenic acold arsenic I’m concerned."

Johnson went connected to accidental that Tomlin "hit the nail connected the head" successful discussing the incidental that progressive Ramsey grabbing Ja’Marr Chase’s facemask earlier punching him. Ramsey accused the prima receiver of spitting connected him, prompting his carnal response. 

Ramsey was ejected, but Chase was aboriginal suspended by the league aft a reappraisal of the spitting allegations. 

Jalen Ramsey #5 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks disconnected the tract anterior to a crippled against the Cincinnati Bengals astatine Acrisure Stadium connected Nov. 16, 2025 successful Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Justin Berl/Getty Images)

STEELERS' MIKE TOMLIN WEIGHS IN ON JALEN RAMSEY’S EJECTION AFTER SPITTING INCIDENT WITH JA’MARR CHASE

Speaking to reporters connected Tuesday, Tomlin weighed successful connected the incident.

"I was aware. I surely talked to Jalen in-game – it’s an unfortunate incident. It’s not an enactment that’s communal to the crippled of football, it’s thing to bash with football," Tomlin said. "And so, I’m not going to remark connected it. The NFL bureau rendered their judgement connected it and truthful we’re moving on." 

When pressed aboriginal astir his messaging to Ramsey, Tomlin did not connection much. But helium did marque his stance connected Ramsey’s absorption to the spitting incidental rather clear.

Chicago Bears manager Ben Johnson watches his squad during a preseason crippled against the Miami Dolphins connected Aug. 10, 2025, astatine Soldier Field successful Chicago. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

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"I person nary connection if idiosyncratic spits successful your face. Do what comes natural." 

The Steelers caput to Chicago hopeful Aaron Rodgers volition beryllium connected the field, contempt the backmost suffering a breached wrist.

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