Saleh and Coen Bury Sign-Stealing Feud as NFL Coaches Become Divisional Rivals

Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars head coaches move past last season's heated exchange.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:12am

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Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh and Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen have resolved their previous feud over sign-stealing accusations, with Saleh calling the issue 'water under the bridge.' The two coaches got into a heated exchange last season when Saleh criticized the Jaguars' 'legally advanced signal-stealing system.' However, they now say they have mutual respect for each other's coaching methods as they prepare to face off as divisional rivals in the upcoming NFL season.

Why it matters

The resolution of the sign-stealing feud between Saleh and Coen is significant as it allows the two coaches to move forward and focus on their teams' upcoming matchups as divisional rivals in the AFC South. Coaches often have personal rivalries that can distract from the game, so this development is positive for both the Titans and Jaguars organizations.

The details

Last season, Saleh, who was the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator at the time, criticized the Jaguars' 'legally advanced signal-stealing system' after a game. This led to a heated exchange between the two coaches, with Coen telling Saleh to 'Keep my name out of your mouth.' Saleh later explained he had misspoken and was trying to compliment Coen. Now, less than a year later, the two have buried the hatchet, with Saleh calling the issue 'water under the bridge' and Coen saying they 'all respect what we're doing and how we're doing it in different ways.'

  • Last season, after a game between the 49ers and Jaguars.

The players

Robert Saleh

The current head coach of the Tennessee Titans, who was previously the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.

Liam Coen

The current head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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What they’re saying

“'They've got legally, a really advanced signal-stealing type system where they always find a way to put themselves in an advantageous situation.'”

— Robert Saleh, Former San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator

“'Keep my name out of your mouth.'”

— Liam Coen, Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach

“'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 water under the bridge.'”

— Robert Saleh, Tennessee Titans Head Coach

“'we all respect what we're doing and how we're doing it in different ways.'”

— Liam Coen, Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach

What’s next

The Titans and Jaguars will face off twice during the 2026 NFL regular season as divisional rivals in the AFC South.

The takeaway

The resolution of the sign-stealing feud between Saleh and Coen is a positive development that allows the two coaches to focus on their teams' upcoming matchups without the distraction of a personal rivalry. Their mutual respect for each other's coaching methods sets the stage for a competitive divisional race in the AFC South.