49ers GM John Lynch weighs in on fiery Saleh-Coen postgame exchange

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch joined Bay Area radio station KNBR on Tuesday morning, offering his first public comments on the heated postgame exchange between 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen.

Following Jacksonville's victory on Sunday, Coen confronted Saleh on the field, shouting: "Keep my name out of your f---ing mouth!"

The frustration stemmed from remarks Saleh made earlier in the week, in which he praised the Jaguars' staff for their advanced ability to decode signals. However, Saleh's use of the term "signal-stealing" became the headline-grabbing phrase that fueled discussion ahead of the matchup.

"Liam and his staff, a couple of guys coming from Minnesota, they've got, 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," Saleh said during his press conference.

When asked about Saleh's comments, Lynch explained that the defensive coordinator's words were intended as praise, not criticism.

"You know, I think, in talking with Robert, he truly meant it as a compliment," Lynch said. "They're very adept at listening to the TV copy, hearing the language we speak on defense. And so, I think Saleh was trying to [say] we know that you know, and just putting them on notice that we know, and we might make some requisite changes."

Lynch acknowledged that the specific phrase "signal-stealing" likely irritated Coen and his staff, but he downplayed the notion that the tension had any impact on the game itself.

"I think when he said sign-stealing, that probably irritated them a little," Lynch explained. "I didn't think it would irritate them that much. He's a first-year head coach. They're a team that's playing really well and playing with a lot of pride. It seems like they used it as a little bit of a battle cry. I don't think it affected the outcome of the game.

"A little dust-up after the game, just words. I'm sure those guys will be fine, and I think we move forward. Things like that happen a lot. In today's world, things like that probably get caught a lot more often than they used to, and everyone's good, and we move forward."

Lynch added that despite the postgame exchange, he believes there remains mutual respect between the two coaches.

"I know that Robert respects Liam," Lynch said. "I know, in turn, that Liam respects Robert. I'm sure they'll be fine. They'll laugh about it at some point, but a little colorful exchange there."