Shanahan addresses heated Saleh-Coen exchange after 49ers-Jaguars clash

Tensions flared following the San Francisco 49ers' 26-21 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, as 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Jaguars head coach Liam Coen had a heated post-game exchange.

The confrontation stemmed from comments Saleh made earlier in the week about Jacksonville's impressive ability to decode opposing teams' signals.

"Liam and his staff, a couple of guys coming from Minnesota, 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. "They do a great job with it."

Saleh added, "Whether it's people from the sideline or whether it's our individual hand signals. Whatever nugget they can find, they catch it. They always happen to find themselves in good situations based on the coverage you show. There's nothing illegal about it. I'm not suggesting that. It's just, you can tell that they've got a can system that's getting them into a very advantageous position."

Although Saleh stressed he wasn't accusing the Jaguars of anything illegal, headlines and social media chatter portrayed the remarks as controversial. That perception clearly reached Jacksonville's locker room, adding bulletin board material ahead of the Week 4 matchup at Levi's Stadium.

The following day, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan defended his coordinator, explaining that Saleh's comments were intended as a compliment rather than criticism. After Sunday's game, Shanahan addressed the tense post-game exchange between Saleh and Coen.

Shanahan admitted he didn't witness the exchange but tried to clear up the situation.

"I don't think he should be that sensitive about it, but it is what it is. Not too worried about it," the coach said.

When asked whether angering an opposing coach could impact a game, Shanahan was quick to dismiss the notion.

"Yeah, we don't totally care if coaches are pissed off," Shanahan commented. "I mean, that has no effect on a game. I think Saleh was paying him a big compliment for what they're good at doing. It's not illegal. He said nothing illegal about it.

"I think, when you use the word 'sign stealing,' and what headlines get with those type of words, then the perception of that becomes wrong. And I don't think that was the goal of what he wanted to do."

When asked about the exchange during his post-game press conference, Coen said, "It was not a big deal. Just keep that between us."

However, a video of footage from the field emerged, showing Coen yelling to Saleh, "Keep my name out of your mouth!"

For now, Shanahan and the 49ers appear focused on moving past the sideline drama and preparing for their upcoming matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.