Adam Schefter: Ja’Marr Chase likely facing suspension for spitting on Jalen Ramsey

The NFL is reviewing a heated incident from Sunday’s Steelers–Bengals matchup. Video surfaced appearing to show Cincinnati star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase spitting on Pittsburgh cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

The confrontation, which occurred with just over 13 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh’s 34–12 win, led to Ramsey being ejected for punching Chase. The Bengals star wide receiver remained in the game.

On ESPN’s Get Up, NFL insider Adam Schefter explained why the league is expected to act swiftly, and Chase could be facing a one-game suspension: “The league has made sportsmanship a point of emphasis during the offseason,” Schefter said.

“If we go back to the opening game, there was precedent. Jalen Carter spit on Dak Prescott to open the season. The NFL wasted no time. It threw him out of the game. So it set a baseline right there, saying that if you spit on somebody, which is a demeaning, disgraceful act, that you’re going to be suspended for one game.”

Schefter pointed to the video footage, which appears to show saliva leaving Chase’s mouth, as the deciding factor: “I’m going to guess that Ja’Marr Chase had no idea that video could capture what he actually did,” he continued. “Because when you watch that video, you can see saliva coming out of his mouth.

“The NFL is looking into the matter. He says he didn’t spit. Is the video a liar? I would expect today for the league to make a ruling, and based on that video, I would expect that he’s going to be suspended one game.”

Alas, Chase denied the accusation after the game: “I ain’t never opened my mouth to that guy,” he said. “… I didn’t spit on nobody.” However, Ramsey insisted the spit was intentional and personal: “He spit on me. So, it’s up,” Ramsey told reporters. “I don’t give a f*** about football after that. Respectfully.”

Later on Get Up, ESPN analyst Damien Woody emphatically sided with Ramsey, calling the act one of the most disrespectful gestures in sports: “It’s the most disrespectful thing that you could do to another man — spit on somebody,” Woody said.

“I’m gonna correct you, Greenie — he is a liar. He knew he did it. Jalen Ramsey was in his right to go out there and have the type of reaction that he had, because that is just totally BS.”

During the game, officials missed the original act and only saw Ramsey’s punch, which resulted in his ejection. Referee Bill Vinovich later explained, “We did not see anything that rose to that level at all.”

All told, the NFL now has a direct precedent to lean on. Earlier this season as Schefter noted, Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected and later suspended one game for spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during the first snap of the 2025 regular season opener.

Given that history, and the clear video evidence, Schefter says discipline for Chase appears likely. The league is expected to issue its formal ruling soon, potentially removing one of Cincinnati’s brightest stars from action in Week 12.