On Monday, November 17, the NFL will announce whether Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’marr Chase will be disciplined for allegedly spitting on Pittsburgh Steelers defender Jalen Ramsey during their Week 11 matchup on November 16.
The league is reviewing every stadium camera angle to determine whether the Bengals receiver initiated this act toward the Steelers defender, which appeared to trigger Ramsey’s heated reaction. Officials want to establish precisely what occurred before issuing any decision.
If the NFL concludes that Chase is guilty, he would miss the upcoming Week 12 game against the New England Patriots.
Similar spitting incident earlier in the 2025 season
It is worth recalling that during the season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, a comparable altercation erupted moments before the first snap. The players involved were quarterback Dak Prescott and defensive lineman Jalen Carter.
Carter received a one-game suspension without pay and a financial penalty after striking the quarterback, seemingly without justification. However, it was later revealed that Prescott had spat at him, sparking Carter’s anger and resulting in his ejection.
The league stated that disrespectful conduct such as spitting at an opponent would no longer be tolerated and that severe fines and suspensions would be imposed. With Chase’s case now under review, the NFL could be setting an important precedent.
It should be noted that Ja’marr was not ejected from Sunday’s game against the Steelers because, as referee Clete Blakeman explained, no one was watching the receiver closely and nothing had yet occurred that required action.
Will Ja’marr Chase be suspended?
It appears unlikely. The league recognizes that sidelining a key Bengals player, one widely beloved by fans, would be a significant decision. At times, the NFL seems to improvise as situations arise.
Another factor is that Jalen Ramsey has not publicly commented on the incident, though he may eventually do so, which could influence the official review.
The league must now determine whether Chase indeed spat at his opponent and whether the spit actually made contact. It is also possible that the NFL concludes there is insufficient evidence to firmly establish the incident as described, allowing the Bengals receiver to be cleared.
For now, all that remains is to wait for the league to decide whether it will discipline the Cincinnati star or overlook the matter due to his importance to the team. Observers across the league understand that this decision carries weight, and many emphasize that the NFL’s final stance will reflect how seriously it upholds standards of conduct in moments of conflict for all players.
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