Saleh and Coen Put Last Season's Issues Behind Them

The Titans and Jaguars coaches have moved past their sideline confrontation.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:55pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting an abstract football game, with sharp geometric shapes in navy blue, teal, and gold representing the players and field, conceptually illustrating the strategic battle between two rival coaches.The strategic chess match between two rival NFL coaches takes on a new dimension as they move past their previous sideline confrontation.Today in Jacksonville

Titans head coach Robert Saleh and Jaguars head coach Liam Coen had a public disagreement last season over Saleh's comments about the Jaguars' signal-stealing tactics. However, the two coaches have since put the incident behind them and say they have a mutual appreciation for each other's work.

Why it matters

The confrontation between the two coaches last season generated some drama and tension between the AFC South rivals. With the two teams set to face off again in 2026, it's important for the coaches to have a professional relationship and put any lingering issues to rest.

The details

After the Jaguars defeated the 49ers last September, Saleh accused the Jaguars of having "a really advanced signal stealing-type system" that gave them an advantage. Coen took issue with Saleh's comments and made that clear on the sideline. However, Saleh has since clarified that he meant his comments as a compliment to the Jaguars' preparation, not an accusation of wrongdoing.

  • The incident occurred during a September 2025 game between the Jaguars and 49ers.
  • The coaches discussed the issue at the NFL league meetings in Arizona on March 31, 2026.

The players

Robert Saleh

The new head coach of the Tennessee Titans, who previously had a public disagreement with Jaguars head coach Liam Coen.

Liam Coen

The head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who took issue with Saleh's comments about the Jaguars' signal-stealing tactics last season.

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What they’re saying

“We're good. I know the NFL probably wants more of a story, but there's no story. I have an appreciation for Liam. Like I said, I used the wrong word when I was trying to give him a compliment, but all that's under the bridge. We've talked and put it behind us.”

— Robert Saleh, Head Coach, Tennessee Titans

“The incident has been fodder for teasing from other coaches around the league and the two men will get a pair of chances to renew their acquaintance during the 2026 season.”

— Liam Coen, Head Coach, Jacksonville Jaguars

What’s next

The Titans and Jaguars are scheduled to play each other twice during the 2026 NFL season, giving Saleh and Coen opportunities to demonstrate their professional relationship on the field.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the competitive nature of the NFL coaching ranks, but also the ability for coaches to put past disagreements behind them and maintain mutual respect. As the Titans and Jaguars prepare to face off again, their coaches' ability to move forward will be an important factor in the divisional rivalry.