"Do what comes natural": Mike Tomlin makes feelings known on Ja'Marr Chase - Jalen Ramsey spitgate controversy

Mike Tomlin makes feelings known on Ja
Mike Tomlin makes feelings known on Ja'Marr Chase - Jalen Ramsey spitgate controversy - Source: Getty

As Ja'Marr Chase might know, Mike Tomlin is no stranger to handling big personalities. Usually, however, the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach is trying to reel in his stars. However, Tomlin confessed he essentially dropped the leash with Jalen Ramsey.

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In a statement made by Tomlin and clipped and posted on X on Tuesday by NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the head coach claimed to have no punishment or coaching to do with Ramsey. The comments came in reaction to video surfacing of Ja'Marr Chase spitting on Ramsey during Sunday's Steelers tilt against the Cincinnati Bengals.

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“I have no message if someone spits in your face," Tomlin said. "Do what comes natural.”

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In other words, the head coach invited not only the cornerback but everyone else on the Steelers to do their worst if someone hurls saliva at them. The comments also serve as a warning to any future opponents against triggering the team that way, as with no leash, there's no telling what might happen.

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The video that revealed all showed a side shot of the two exchanging words at the game on Sunday, via Austin Briski of FOX19. In a split second, one or two frames caught the spit traveling from Chase to Ramsey.

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Chase was suspended for a game and fined nearly $500,000, according to a Tuesday ESPN report. The wide receiver appealed the suspension.

Ja'Marr Chase turns in second-worst performance of 2025 season

Ja'Marr Chase at Cincinnati Bengals v Pittsburgh Steelers - NFL 2025 - Source: Getty
Ja'Marr Chase at Cincinnati Bengals v Pittsburgh Steelers - NFL 2025 - Source: Getty

Ja'Marr Chase woke up on Sunday with the chance to have another breakout game. Instead, he received a suspension to book-end a disastrous day. At 3-6 and staring down their dreaded seventh loss of the season, the Cincinnati Bengals needed a lot from Chase.

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Instead, the receiver posted just three catches for 30 yards and zero touchdowns. It was his worst performance of the season aside from Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns held Chase to two catches for 26 yards.

Unless overturned, the one-game suspension will hold Chase out for the team's Week 12 battle against the New England Patriots, setting up a return against the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 27.

At his current pace, Chase is in danger of ending his three-game streak of improving yardage totals. In 2022, Chase earned 1,046 yards. In 2023, Chase earned 1,216 yards, and in 2024, the receiver earned 1,708 yards.

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While his yardage totals are in danger of slumping, his touchdown and reception totals are somewhat in line with the majority of his career, but still set up for a significant step down from his output in 2024, when he had 127 catches and 17 touchdown receptions.

Heading into Week 12, Joe Burrow's receiver has 79 catches and five touchdowns.

Bengals Nation! Check out the latest Cincinnati Bengals Schedule and dive into the Bengals Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.

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Edited by Ian Van Roy
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