Robert Saleh just dropped a surprising bit of praise for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The New York Jets head coach said their offensive staff runs one of the most advanced legal signal-stealing operations in the NFL.
Signal stealing usually makes people think of scandals and punishments, but Saleh stressed this isn’t that. What Jacksonville does is above board, and in his words, really smart.
He credited offensive coordinator Liam Coen and his assistants for being sharp at spotting small tells and repeated patterns in defenses. Saleh suggested that edge forces opponents to work harder to stay unpredictable, because the Jaguars are always looking for clues that give them a step ahead.
Saleh Pointed to Liam Coen And His Staff As Experts At Finding Opponent Tells
Saleh explained that Coen and his staff came from Minnesota, where they developed this system of reading signals, body language, and on-field habits. It’s not about hacking headsets or anything shady. It’s just studying film, watching closely, and recognizing when a team tips its hand.
“They got legally a really advanced signal stealing system,” Saleh said. “They always find a way to put themselves in an advantageous situation. They do a great job of it. We have to be great with our signals. Be great with our communication to combat some of those tells we might give on the field.”
That’s a telling quote. Saleh isn’t accusing anyone of cheating; he’s actually praising Jacksonville’s preparation. But it also puts pressure on his own team. If the Jaguars are that good at reading signals, then the Jets’ defense has to make sure it isn’t giving away free clues.
And that’s the bigger impact here. This isn’t just trivia about coaching smarts; it changes how opponents have to game plan. Teams facing the Jaguars now know they need airtight communication and disguise, or else they risk getting picked apart by Coen’s staff.
Debate Broke Out as Fans Claimed Signal Stealing Is Common Across the NFL
As soon as Saleh’s comments hit social media, the fan debate lit up. Some people acted like Jacksonville was breaking new ground, while others just laughed. One fan on X summed it up perfectly:
“It’s adorable that anyone thinks every team is not trying to look for signals/tells/repetition/habits from their opponents. I remember hearing about teams having to change their audible nomenclature at least every few weeks to keep decent teams from figuring their stuff out.”
That’s simply the reality. Every NFL team searches for any edge it can find. Opponents change audibles, signals, and even hand gestures regularly because they know rivals are watching. It’s part of the chess match, and Saleh’s comment just put a spotlight on it.
Fans quickly connected dots in different ways. One joked, “So that’s why the 49ers have struggled w Minnesota. Explains a lot actually!”
Another went harsher: “Jaguars are the Houston Astros of football. Somebody needs to bean them with a pitch.”
Others tried to bring balance, noting, “Not all forms are illegal. Teams can legally try to decipher opponents’ signals through observation, film study, or noticing patterns.”
The bigger takeaway isn’t whether everyone looks for signals. It’s whether anyone executes it as effectively as Coen and the Jaguars. Saleh clearly believes they do, and he’s already warning his players to stay locked in. That’s respect dressed up as caution, and it paints Jacksonville as a bigger threat than many expected.
Published: Sep 26, 2025 03:32 pm