Robert Saleh: Liam Coen “Legally” Steals Signs
September 26th, 2025
“Bake, I learned this from Sean McVay and perfected it.”
Last year as Bucs offensive coordinator, Liam Coen set all sorts of Bucs franchise records. Coen used that success and experience to vault to a head coaching gig with the Jags.
Did Coen lean on nefarious tactics to help build his Bucs resume? Mr. Clean seems to think so, though he sort of used double-talk in accusing Coen of being shady.
Mr. Clean, the former Jets coach who returned to San Francisco to be the 49ers defensive coordinator, yesterday claimed Sean McVay and all former pupils from his coaching tree steal signs, only that Coen did it “legally” and is “elite” in doing so, types Stephen Douglas of SI.com.
The 49ers play the Jags on Sunday.
“Liam [Coen] and his staff, a couple guys coming from Minnesota they got, legally, a really advanced signal stealing system where they always find a way to put themselves in an advantageous situation,” said Saleh. “They do a great job of it. They formation you. They just try to find any nugget they can. So we’ve got to be great with our signals. We’ve gotta be great with our communication to combat some of those tells we might give on the field. They’re almost elite in that regard. That whole entire tree from Sean to Kevin O’Connell to all those guys. They all do it.”
Now that’s some serious shade!
But the term Mr. Clean used is an oxymoron. If Coen (and others) are “legally” stealing signs, how then is it “stealing?” There is no such thing as legal theft.
To Joe, this seems like sour grapes from Mr. Clean. If he knows Coen was/is stealing signs, then make sure Coen cannot decipher your signals. Duh.
And if Coen was stealing signs last year, Joe wonders why then didn’t Coen’s right-hand man last year and this year’s Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard learn this from Coen? Any why hasn’t Grizzard continued that practice this fall with the Bucs? Perhaps he has?
The Bucs are 3-0, yes, but is the Bucs offense humming like Grizzard is “stealing” signs?
September 26th, 2025 at 12:04 am
Sounded more like a compliment as we read it.
September 26th, 2025 at 12:12 am
[There’s nothing “clickbait” about this. Joe has Mr. Clean’s very clear quotes in the story. Mr. Clean specifically used the term “stealing.” There is even video embedded in the linked story with Mr. Clean accusing Coen of “stealing.” That headline is as accurate as accurate can be. — Joe]
September 26th, 2025 at 1:12 am
Who says Grizz isn’t using the same tactics? If Corn was gaining an edge on the defense by sniffing out their signs, I’m sure Grizz is doing the same. LET’S BAKE
September 26th, 2025 at 1:24 am
What ‘stealing’ is when the offense gives a look then the coaches see what the defense does. They watch the coaches and LB for what they do and what signs they use. If it happens over and over, then the offense just figured out the signal. So, yeah, it’s legal stealing.
September 26th, 2025 at 1:29 am
“Guilty Bystander?? Who ever heard of a Guilty Bystander???”
Jackie Chiles – Esq
September 26th, 2025 at 3:35 am
So now Joe is censoring people who correctly call him out.
Well done Joe.
Thank you. Like most businesses, Joe is not going to tolerate malicious commentary as it relates to Joe’s business, much like a 7-11 wouldn’t accept someone writing “bad coffee” on sticky notes and placing them on their coffee pots. There’s a whole world of social media or other Bucs websites where one can freely share inaccurate takes and assertions about Joe’s motives and business. –Joe
September 26th, 2025 at 3:38 am
Stealing signs? That is a double edged sword. Can backfire easily.
Go Bucs!
September 26th, 2025 at 4:13 am
I may be naive, however I thought it was more common in college, while also thinking of the Wolverine scandal. Unsure if this is a genuine compliment as Coen left the Rams to go back to college football.
September 26th, 2025 at 4:58 am
Potato, potahto. Stealing signs is age old and happens all the time. We’re not talking about illegally gathering intel on an opponent. We’re talking observing and interpreting tells of an offense or defense that the opponent doesn’t want you to use. Was Gruden not supposed to share with Kiffin the Raiders playbook? Of course not. They had a full year to add wrinkles and change the terminology but got caught because their former HC just happened to make it to the opposing side of the field in a championship. What were the odds? Gruden knew them and used his knowledge. Zero difference and yes, that was stealing signs. All part of the game.
September 26th, 2025 at 6:40 am
It’s hard to get your offense humming Joe when you’re missing more than half your starting O line. When your starting center becomes your starting LT it’s hard hitting the ground running. Grizz could be stealing calls like crazy, but good luck blocking it when Haggard is your first time starting guard. Slow start on offense has clearly been injury related.
September 26th, 2025 at 6:49 am
I think he’s talking about how they use motion, formation shifts and pre snap activity to get the defense to show their hand. Remember, Coen would send 2-3 plays into Baker and Bake had the flexibility to change the play based on what the D was doing (Does Grizz still use this tactic?). I know words mean things but I don’t think he was saying “steal” in the literal sense. The “McVay Tree” seems to be very good at pre-snap process and trying to gain any advantage possible before the play.
September 26th, 2025 at 6:56 am
By the time the defensive signals get sent in to to the guy with the green dot and he calls the defense, the radio in the QB’s helmet is cut off. So the offensive coordinator can’t tell him what to do, you need a quarterback who smart enough to read the defense and make the proper adjustments at the line. I think Baker can do that, I’m not sure about Trevor Lawrence.
September 26th, 2025 at 7:03 am
Pretty sure they all do it.
September 26th, 2025 at 7:20 am
Hey! I Am ALL FOR IT !
As long as you are doing it live and not electronically tapping into their communications
September 26th, 2025 at 7:40 am
So the stealing is actually the offense using formations before the hut hut to see where the blitzes are coming from etc.wtc.etc. SOUR GRAPES HATER BUH BYE. And I can’t stand that El snake O
September 26th, 2025 at 7:47 am
There is no such thing as legal theft? Not sure if that is correct if you live in California or New York.
September 26th, 2025 at 8:14 am
Some compare the game to ♟️ chess, some compare it to poker.
It starts in the film room and continues throughout the game. Some coaches are better at it than others. Some players are better than others too. Luke Kueckely(sp?), Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, to name a few.
September 26th, 2025 at 8:18 am
Somehow, I’m missing something here. At first, I thought it meant stealing playbooks. Otherwise it reads like much ado about nothing. However, I sure don’t miss Coen. Jax can have him. Are they 3-0 with half the team on IR (sure feels like it).
September 26th, 2025 at 8:30 am
I hope so!
Rubbing is racing !
September 26th, 2025 at 9:11 am
If it’s legal, it isn’t stealing.
September 26th, 2025 at 9:14 am
It doesn’t sound like stealing, they use formation and shifts to make a defense declare what they are doing. Most defenses won’t start in disguise if they are getting out flanked with formation. Those offensive guru guys from that tree understand how to simplify things for their quarterback. It’s called good coaching
September 26th, 2025 at 9:59 am
You go Joe! You go Joe! (In the voice of Gene D)
September 26th, 2025 at 10:11 am
Irishmist Says: “By the time the defensive signals get sent in to to the guy with the green dot and he calls the defense, the radio in the QB’s helmet is cut off. So the offensive coordinator can’t tell him what to do.”
Maybe, that’s one of the huge advantages of why a lot more of these ‘new-aged’ Offensive Coordinators, are now choosing to be ON the field calling plays, versus being in the booth upstairs, and away from the field. Better communication?
September 26th, 2025 at 10:35 am
@orlbucfan – you are just like the little ‘school-aged kid’ who’s best-friend switched to a different school. You were truthfully, absolutely just CRUSHED in the very beginning. And, you took it personal, as a shot towards you. So, now you’re like (a little kid’s stubborn-hurt voice), “I don’t miss him ONE BIT, they can just HAVE HIM. BooHoo Hooooo. Want me to give you a cookie? LoL. It’s Pathetic (a grown man). You sure as hell LOVED HIM last season. Every single comment you make is meaningless, since they are all dripping in Bucs biases. So, you can’t take ANY of them seriously. There is NOT ONE single (honest) person who was ‘happy’ about losing him, and wouldn’t take him back in a heartbeat, IF they could. Not One. Just like “your best buddy” – in a HEARTBEAT.
September 26th, 2025 at 10:45 am
Saleh, cry me a freaking river, what a sore loser. If he’s able to steal your signals then you aren’t doing your job! Be better at being clandestine. Seems like he wasn’t that good of a coach imo and he’s just a sad loser. If you can’t get them fined for doing something legitimately wrong and illegal then you shouldn’t say a word because it makes you look stupid for allowing this to happen.
September 26th, 2025 at 10:47 am
@orlbucfan – Lmao… So, you missed the word “SIGNS” in the freaking HEADLINE, then!? Really!? I don’t believe ONE other person ever thought this was going to be about “playbooks.” Except for just YOU. It clearly states in THE HEADLINE, what this (post/article) is all about.
September 26th, 2025 at 10:51 am
Just hack into the helmet telecom. They are just radio signals. Find the frequency and listen in. It wouldn’t be that hard. Then, you’d really know the plays.
September 26th, 2025 at 10:54 am
@Esteban85 – 💯 Exactly. He just admitted to being outsmarted. It’s crazy how STUPID he must be. LoL
September 26th, 2025 at 11:09 am
Exactly! This is like when I see signs for “Free Rent”. If it’s free then it’s not rent!
September 26th, 2025 at 11:46 am
SlyPirate has the true meaning of stealing plays and Melvin Junior exactly!!! I miss Coen and I’m sure Baker misses him, he will be the greatest OC we have ever had. He knew exactly how to wring out the little nuances of Baker’s game. From the line calls to formations, our best ever offensive output ever. I wonder how many more SBs Brady would’ve won if he had Coen while here??? All these guy’s whining about Coen leaving cut it out the man has a right to do better for himself and his family. You should hate the Jags owner not him.
September 26th, 2025 at 12:10 pm
Joe: “ There is no such thing as legal theft.”
Tell me that every April 15th!
September 26th, 2025 at 1:37 pm
You say stealing, I say learning, adapting, evolving
September 26th, 2025 at 2:04 pm
If it was happening, the Bucs had better still be doing it.