San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh walked back last week’s comments regarding the Jacksonville Jaguars “stealing” opposing teams’ signals, saying he intended to praise the Jaguars and coach Liam Coen.
“In my heart, I genuinely was trying to give a compliment,” Saleh said. “And I own the fact that I probably used the wrong choice of words.”
Robert Saleh “owns” the misunderstanding with the Jaguars pic.twitter.com/m44FmE4PwG
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) September 30, 2025
Last week, Saleh said the Jaguars have “a really advanced signal-stealing type of system, where they always find a way to put themselves in an advantageous situation.” He emphasized that the team was not doing anything against the rules, but the comments created a stir leading up to and after Sunday’s game.
Following the Jaguars’ 26-21 victory, Coen exchanged words with Saleh while walking off the field, telling him to “keep my name out of your mouth.”
On Tuesday, Saleh made sure to use the words “formation identification” when talking about the opposing play caller.
“However you want to word it, I mean, they’re really, really good at putting their players in a position to be successful,” Saleh said. “Everyone in the league is trying to find every avenue they can. And as a coach watching their tape, I recognize the amount of hours that must be spent to be able to build formations and to find every little indicator they can to give their players a chance to be in a successful position. That’s exhausting. And every team does it. Some do it better than others.”
Saleh said he has not reached out to Coen.
“It’s all good,” he said. “I appreciate the way he’s going about his business with his football team.”
Earlier Tuesday, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was asked which coaches could beat up the lean, muscular Saleh. “Just me,” he said, before adding that Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell would also probably get the job done. “Saleh is too nice,” Shanahan added.
(Photos of Robert Saleh, left, and Liam Coen: Kavin Mistry, Sean Gardner / Getty Images)