In case you missed it, tensions flared between San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen following Sunday's 26-21 upset at Levi's Stadium. The previously undefeated 49ers fell to the Jaguars in a dramatic Week 4 clash.
A video of the post-game exchange shows Coen approaching Saleh, shouting, "Keep my name out of your f---ing mouth!"
Though the video was reportedly edited to remove expletives.
"Keep my name out of your mouth,"
Liam Coen and Robert Saleh exchange after Jaguars win. Saleh used the phrase "legal sign stealing" in news conference last week in reference to Coen. pic.twitter.com/yYcjm1oHIP
— BrentDanStuartMarcelAlivia (@ActionSportsJax) September 29, 2025
The confrontation stemmed from comments Saleh made last week, attempting to compliment the Jaguars' staff for their advanced signal-reading strategies.
Saleh said, "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. They do a great job with it."
He continued, "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."
Despite Saleh clearly framing his comments as a compliment, stating there was nothing illegal about the Jaguars' strategy, media coverage focused on the term "signal-stealing," which reportedly reached Coen and sparked the heated confrontation.
The day after the game, multiple media outlets believe they know how Saleh responded to Coen. Both the SFGate and CBS Sports report that Saleh replied, "I was trying to compliment your ass. I will f--- your world up. You don't wanna f--- with me. I will f---ing end your f--ing life."
The quote appears to come from a social media post by Action News sports director Brent Martineau, who shared what Saleh allegedly said during the exchange—which was edited out.
When asked about the exchange in his post-game press conference, Coen downplayed the incident: "It was not a big deal. Just keep that between us."
Meanwhile, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested Coen overreacted, saying, "I don't think he should be that sensitive about it, but it is what it is."
Shanahan added, "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."
On Monday morning, during a conference call with the media, Shanahan reiterated his stance in light of the new alleged quotes.
"Not much different than last night," Shanahan said. "It is what it is. I mean, guys are competitive, they're sensitive after games, and I really think it's not a big deal at all."