NFL Sh.o.ck: Ja’Marr Chase Suspended 2 Games After Video Shows Him Spitting on Jalen Ramsey Released — League Erupts in Controversy

The NFL moved at unprecedented speed late Sunday night, announcing a two game suspension for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase after league investigators confirmed video evidence of Chase spitting on Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey during their Week 11 matchup.

The punishment is doubled. One game for the act of spitting. Another game for what the league labeled a “deliberate and intentional false denial” during his postgame press conference.

Hours earlier, Chase forcefully rejected accusations that he spat on Ramsey. He told reporters he never “opened his mouth” and insisted it was only routine trash talk that caused Ramsey to snap and throw a punch.

That version collapsed instantly once the league released enhanced sideline footage. The slow motion angle clearly showed saliva leaving Chase’s facemask and hitting Ramsey moments before the altercation escalated.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a rare late night statement. “The officials on the field ejected the wrong player and we are correcting that mistake tonight. Fortunately the error did not affect the final outcome of the game. But respect between players is a non negotiable standard and spitting is one of the most egregious violations of that standard.”

The decision came less than four hours after the game ended, marking one of the fastest discipline turnarounds in recent league history. Ramsey had been ejected for retaliatory contact but is now cleared of further discipline.

The footage also contradicts Chase’s public denial. Goodell emphasized that lying in the league’s formal postgame process is a punishable offense. That is why the suspension was doubled.

Before his ejection, Ramsey recorded four tackles and one pass breakup in Pittsburgh’s 34-12 win. Chase finished with six catches for 74 yards but will now miss two pivotal games in the Bengals’ AFC playoff push.

Cincinnati has not yet issued a public statement but is expected to appeal the ruling Monday morning. The NFL made clear that the suspension will stand unless “compelling and extraordinary evidence” emerges, which sources privately say is highly unlikely.

The league’s message is unmistakable. The wrong player was punished during the game. The correct player is being punished tonight. And this time, there is no room for debate.

Chiefs Called Out for Historically Bad Stat: ‘Unacceptable’

The Kansas City Chiefs were criticized for their lack of urgency at the trade deadline, particularly when it came to the running back position, and Week 12 news of a historically bad NFL trend hammered home that point.

“The 2025 Chiefs currently have an explosive rush rate on RB carries of 2.6%,” ESPN data analyst Benjamin Solak reported on November 17.

The 2025 Chiefs currently have an explosive rush rate on RB carries of 2.6%

Would be the lowest number for an offense this century if it holds.

Just an unacceptable lack of investment in the running game in Kansas City. Scheme and personnel imo.

Solak added that this figure “would be the lowest number for an offense this century if it holds.” Continuing: “Just an unacceptable lack of investment in the running game in Kansas City. Scheme and personnel [in my opinion].”

Chiefs Have Passed on Multiple Chances to Upgrade the Running Back Room

It’s not like Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid were backed into a corner at the running back position. If we remember back, prior to the 2025 NFL free agency, it was the exact opposite situation.

Kansas City was only really committed to one running back heading into the 2025 offseason, and that was Isiah Pacheco — on a rookie contract. Besides Pacheco, practice squad reserve Carson Steele was also in the mix, and the rest was a blank slate.

Following a lackluster finish from the RB room in 2024, the Chiefs had multiple opportunities to reshape this position as they wanted. The first came in free agency, but rather than spend real money at running back, Veach simply re-signed an aging Kareem Hunt and added a total injury returnee flyer in Elijah Mitchell.

Hunt has served his purpose, but is also a big part of the explosiveness problem, and Mitchell has been a total flop with the Chiefs.

Next up was the 2025 NFL Draft, which was actually stacked with young RB talent. Most analysts and pundits predicted KC would spend a mid-round pick on the position, bringing in fresh blood to potentially replace Pacheco long-term.

But Veach didn’t do that either, passing on all the top prospects for seventh-round wide receiver convert Brashard Smith.

To be clear, Smith has shown some pop and was a fine seventh-round pick, but he’s not an every-down runner and likely never will be. The Chiefs should have selected a more physical running back earlier in the draft, and they still could have taken Smith late — that’s how dire the RB need was.

Strike three came at the trade deadline. Kansas City reportedly had a fourth-round offer on the table for New York Jets running back Breece Hall, but balked on the deal when the Jets insisted on a third-round return.

Hall is clearly superior to the current Chiefs RBs in just about every way, leading to fan backlash after the deadline.

Chiefs Must Draft or Sign a Running Back in 2026

Enough is enough at the running back position. Hitting repeat with Pacheco and Hunt has not worked, and the Chiefs would be wise to move on from both in 2026 once their contracts expire.

Hunt is on a cheap one-year deal and could theoretically come back in a depth role, but Pacheco will be looking to get paid, and Kansas City should let him walk. Similarly, KC should move on from backups like Mitchell and returnee Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

From there, the Chiefs must either dedicate cap space (in free agency) or draft capital to solving this perennial issue.

Neither Pacheco nor Hunt should be a key cog in the Chiefs’ 2026 offense. If they are, the disconnect between the front office and fans will only grow.