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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson supported Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ahead of the teams’ matchup this weekend after Tomlin appeared to defend cornerback Jalen Ramsey’s actions following last weekend’s spitting controversy.
Speaking to reporters before hosting Pittsburgh on Sunday, the first-year NFL head coach praised his counterpart’s success in the league. Johnson spoke at length about Tomlin before bringing up his recent remarks about Ramsey’s ejection from the team’s Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin calls a timeout in the second quarter of the Week 11 NFL game between the Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. The Steelers led 10-6 at halftime. (IMAGINE)
“The fact that he hasn’t had a losing season. It’s unbelievable. It’s absolutely unbelievable to think that he’s been a head coach as long as he has and is still getting wins,” Johnson began.
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“He sets the bar very high, and nothing but respect for him. How he goes about his business, he holds his players accountable – I think you saw it even this week with some quotes talking about a player being spit on. His reaction, I mean, he’s 100% right as far as I’m concerned.”
Johnson went on to say that Tomlin “hit the nail on the head” when discussing the incident in which Ramsey grabbed Ja’Marr Chase’s mask before punching him. Ramsey accused the star receiver of spitting on him, provoking his physical response.
Ramsey was ejected, but Chase was later suspended by the league after a review of the spitting allegations.
Jalen Ramsey #5 of the Pittsburgh Steelers leaves 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 TRACKS ON JALEN RAMSEY’S EJECTION AFTER HOOK INCIDENT WITH JA’MARR CHASE
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Tomlin commented on the incident.
“I was aware of it. I certainly spoke to Jalen during the game – it’s an unfortunate incident. It’s not a common act in football, it has nothing to do with football,” Tomlin said. “And so, I’m not going to comment on that. The NFL office has made its judgment on that and so we’re moving on.”
Asked later about his message to Ramsey, Tomlin didn’t offer much. But he made his position clear on Ramsey’s reaction to the spitting incident.
Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson watches his team during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on August 10, 2025, at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
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“I have no message if someone spits in your face. Do what feels natural.”
The Steelers travel to Chicago hoping to have Aaron Rodgers on the field, despite the quarterback suffering a broken wrist.
