Liam Coen and Robert Saleh’s Postgame Meltdown: When “Legal” Sign Stealing Goes Too Far

Justin Rimpi

Picture this: You’re minding your own business at work when a colleague drops a backhanded compliment about your “creative” accounting methods. Sure, everything you’re doing is perfectly legal, but the way they said it? That stings. Now multiply that frustration by about a thousand, throw in some NFL-sized egos, and you’ve got yourself the Liam Coen vs. Robert Saleh postgame explosion that had everyone talking after Jacksonville’s stunning 26-21 upset over San Francisco.

What started as Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh’s attempt at praising the Jaguars’ preparation turned into a heated confrontation that required players and coaches to physically separate two grown men who clearly needed to cool off. And honestly? It was absolutely riveting television.

What Really Started This Mess

The whole drama kicked off on Thursday when Saleh was asked about the biggest challenges Coen’s offense presented. Instead of giving the typical coach-speak about “they’re well-prepared” or “they execute well,” Saleh decided to get specific. Really specific.

“They’ve got legally, a really advanced signal-stealing type system where they always find a way to put themselves in an advantageous situation,” Saleh said during his weekly press conference. “They do a great job with it.”

Now, on paper, that sounds like a compliment. Saleh repeatedly emphasized that what Jacksonville does is completely legal, which it is. Every NFL team tries to decode opposing signals and gain whatever edge they can within the rules. But here’s the thing about the phrase “signal stealing” in 2025: it carries some serious baggage.

We’re barely a year removed from the Michigan sign-stealing scandal that rocked college football. In the NFL, we’ve had everything from “Spygate” to “Deflategate.” When you use those two words together, especially when you’re talking about a specific team, you’re essentially lighting a match and tossing it into a powder keg.

Coen Wasn’t Having It

Liam Coen, who spent Friday diplomatically deflecting questions about Saleh’s comments, apparently spent the weekend stewing about them. The young coach, who’s been grinding to establish his reputation, clearly felt like his integrity had been questioned on a national stage.

And you know what? I get it.

Imagine working your tail off to build a respectable offensive system, only to have an opposing coordinator basically announce to the world that your success comes from some sketchy (albeit legal) tactics. Even if that wasn’t Saleh’s intention, the optics were brutal. Headlines started popping up everywhere about Jacksonville’s “signal-stealing system,” and suddenly Coen’s innovative offensive approach was being reduced to gamesmanship.

The Explosion That Everyone Saw Coming

So when the Jaguars pulled off the upset win Sunday, emotions were already running high. As coaches typically do after games, they headed to midfield for the customary handshakes. Except this time, there was nothing customary about it.

According to multiple reports, Saleh and Coen initially didn’t even acknowledge each other. But Coen circled back – and that’s when things got spicy. Video footage captured Coen being held back by Center Robert Hainsey while shouting at Saleh: “Keep my name out of your mouth. Keep my name out of your f—ing mouth!”

Saleh, not to be outdone, fired back with his own colorful language, including what sounded like “I will f— your world up” – which, let’s be honest, sounds way more threatening when you’re being physically restrained by team personnel.

The whole scene lasted maybe 30 seconds, but it was 30 seconds of pure, unfiltered emotion that reminded everyone these guys aren’t just chess masters drawing up X’s and O’s – they’re competitors who take this stuff personally.

Kyle Shanahan Tries To Play Peacemaker

49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan found himself in the awkward position of defending his defensive coordinator while also trying to diffuse the situation. When asked about the postgame confrontation, Shanahan essentially shrugged it off.

“I don’t think you should be that sensitive about it, but it is what it is,” Shanahan said. “I’m not too worried about it.” Shanahan also tried to clarify that Saleh was actually complimenting the Jaguars, but acknowledged that using loaded terms like “signal stealing” probably muddied the waters.

The Players Weigh In

Jacksonville’s players seemed to relish the extra motivation. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence didn’t exactly deny that the Jaguars use every advantage they can get, but he also made it clear that games are won on the field, not in the film room.

“Definitely, you use everything you can for motivation, and if they’re going to give you free fuel, you take it,” Lawrence said. “But at the end of the day, you’ve got to go play the game.”

Meanwhile, 49ers players mostly tried to stay out of the drama. Defensive Lineman Yetur Gross-Matos, who was close enough to witness the exchange, took the diplomatic route: “That’s between them two. I ain’t got nothing to do with it.”

Why This Matters Beyond the Drama

Look, heated postgame exchanges happen all the time in professional sports. Coaches get emotional, words get exchanged, and everyone usually moves on by Tuesday. But this particular incident highlights something bigger about the modern NFL: the razor-thin line between gamesmanship and accusations.

Every team tries to gain a competitive advantage. They study film obsessively, analyze tendencies, and yes, they try to figure out what opposing signals mean. It’s part of the game. But in an era where every scandal gets blown up into a national controversy, even complimentary references to these tactics can create unnecessary drama.

Coen’s reaction also shows how young coaches are navigating the pressure of establishing their reputations. He’s 39 years old and trying to prove he belongs among the NFL’s elite. When someone questions, even inadvertently, the legitimacy of his success, Coen is going to respond with fire.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, both coaches probably wish this whole thing had never happened. Saleh likely regrets his word choice, even if his intentions were pure. Coen probably wishes he’d handled his frustration with a bit more composure. But sometimes emotions boil over, and we get these raw, unfiltered moments that remind us why we love sports.

The Jaguars got their win, their revenge, and probably some extra bulletin board material for the rest of the season. The 49ers got a reality check and a reminder that every word matters when you’re talking about opponents. And we got one of the more entertaining postgame confrontations in recent memory.

In a league that’s increasingly corporate and sanitized, sometimes a little genuine emotion – even if it’s messy – isn’t the worst thing in the world.

Justin has been a sportswriter for nearly a decade. He has previously written for 247 Sports an Sports Illustrated.

More Great Content