Sophia
In the high-stakes world of the NFL, every advantage counts. This week, San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh ignited a fascinating discussion, subtly accusing the Jacksonville Jaguars of employing a “legally advanced signal stealing system.” But was this an accidental revelation or a calculated move in the mental warfare that defines professional football?
Conor Orr delves into the intricate world of pilfering signals, exploring why Saleh, a former head coach, chose this moment to shed light on a practice that, while legal, can profoundly impact a game’s outcome.
Saleh’s Unprecedented Statement
Just three days before the 49ers’ Week 4 clash with the Jaguars, Robert Saleh delivered what can only be described as a masterclass in press conference transitions. He began by praising Jacksonville as a “very young, but it’s a very talented group.” Then, without missing a beat, he dropped the bombshell:
“Liam [Coen] and his staff, a couple of guys coming from Minnesota, they’ve got a—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. They formation you to try to find any nugget they can. So we’ve got to be great with our signals and we’ve got to be great with our communication to combat some of the tells that we might give on the field.”
Saleh further elaborated, linking this sophisticated system to a broader coaching tree, including Sean McVay and Kevin O’Connell. He acknowledged the challenges, stating, “They’re gonna catch us in some situations where they have the advantage and we just gotta play good, sound, fundamental football and do our best to execute.”
Unpacking the “Legal” Aspect
The immediate follow-up question was crucial: “Who are they stealing the signals from?” Saleh clarified that it could be anything from sideline observers to individual hand signals, emphasizing, “there’s nothing illegal about it. I’m not suggesting that.” He simply noted that the Jaguars possess a system that consistently puts them in advantageous positions.
This isn’t an isolated incident for Saleh. He recalled similar experiences against the Minnesota Vikings last year, where he served as head coach for the Jets, and even with the Rams. “You can see it on tape when we’re studying. It’s like, damn, how’d they know to be in that call at that time?” he admitted.
Indeed, legal sign stealing is not only prevalent in the NFL but almost a necessity for success. Teams meticulously study television tape and all-22 film to decode opponents’ signals. Coaches are also allowed to observe signals from the press box during live games. The line is drawn at filming coaching signals from unauthorized areas, a lesson the New England Patriots learned the hard way with “Spygate.”
The Masterminds Behind Jacksonville’s System
Saleh’s reference to “a couple of guys coming from Minnesota” likely points to Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett. Udinski, in particular, is highly respected in coaching circles, credited as a vital part of the O’Connell staff that helped elevate Sam Darnold to a fringe MVP candidate in 2024. His three seasons with Minnesota, following a stint in Carolina, have clearly honed his expertise in this strategic area.
These coaches, along with others in the McVay–Kyle Shanahan–O’Connell coaching fraternity, excel at noticing how defenses react to formations and identifying hand signals that correspond to specific coverages. They also analyze television tape for words picked up on field microphones, building a comprehensive database of an opponent’s habits.
Defensive coordinators, often facing constraints like injury rates and limited practice time, tend to keep their signals consistent. This predictability creates an opening for offenses like Jacksonville’s to identify “beaters”—plays designed to exploit known defensive calls. This strategy was evident in the Vikings’ 2024 season, where they were second in the NFL in plays of 20-plus yards and tied for third in 40-plus-yard plays, demonstrating their ability to gash defenses.
The “Why Now?” Question: A Stroke of Genius?
The most compelling question surrounding Saleh’s comments is his motivation. Coaches typically avoid creating “incidental splash” during media appearances unless it’s a calculated move. As a former head coach, Saleh understands the power of his words.
One theory suggests Saleh’s public acknowledgment of Jacksonville’s system is a form of psychological warfare. “We all have fake signals and calls to f— with one another,” one coach noted. But what if Saleh’s revelation is a deeper layer of subterfuge?
Instead of inadvertently tipping off the Jaguars, Saleh might be leading them into a trap. By publicly discussing the signal-stealing, he creates doubt. Will the 49ers change all their signals, some of them, or none at all? This uncertainty can disrupt an opponent’s confidence in their gathered information, making their presnap reads less reliable.
Saleh’s statement, “So we’ve got to be great with our signals and we’ve got to be great with our communication to combat some of the tells that we might give on the field,” reinforces this idea. Interestingly, coaches familiar with Saleh’s defenses note they tend to have less complex signals, which could make them easier to change—or, conversely, easier to mask any changes.
For more insights into the strategic mind games in the NFL, consider exploring Conor Orr’s full analysis on the topic.
The Quarterback Factor: Lawrence’s Background
The impact of signal stealing varies depending on a quarterback’s style. Presnap players like Aaron Rodgers or Jalen Hurts thrive on deciphering defenses before the snap. Postsnap players, on the other hand, react more in the moment.
Intriguingly, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence comes from Clemson, where his defensive coaches, under Brent Venables, were known for one of college football’s most sophisticated signal-stealing operations. As Pat Forde reported in 2020, “One time we got in a formation that is 90% run, and they dropped eight [defenders in coverage]. They knew it was a pass call. It was like, ‘Are they listening to our headsets?’” This background suggests Lawrence might be particularly attuned to, and potentially reliant on, these presnap hints.
Conclusion: A Calculated Gambit
Robert Saleh’s comments were far from an accidental slip. They represent a calculated move in the intricate chess match that is NFL football. By bringing the Jaguars’ “legal” signal-stealing system into the public discourse, Saleh has introduced an element of doubt, forcing his opponent to question the very intelligence they rely upon. Whether this psychological gambit pays off on Sunday remains to be seen, but it has certainly added a compelling layer to the upcoming Week 4 showdown.
