In the high-stakes world of the NFL, every team is on a relentless quest for an edge—any scrap of information that could tip the scales in their favor. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this pursuit of insider knowledge a strategic masterstroke or a shadowy practice that blurs the lines of fair play? Let’s dive into the fascinating—and often misunderstood—world of how NFL teams gather intel on their opponents.
Robert Saleh, the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, found himself in hot water when he inadvertently sparked a firestorm ahead of their Week 4 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In an unprompted remark, Saleh praised the Jaguars’ system under coach Liam Coen as “advanced” in the art of legal “signal stealing.” And this is the part most people miss: Saleh later clarified it was meant as a compliment, highlighting how Coen’s offense uses motions to gather critical information based on defensive reactions. But the damage was done—his words went viral, and speculation ran wild about whether he was trying to psyche out his opponents. The tension boiled over into an on-field confrontation after the Jaguars edged out the 49ers 26-21.
This incident shed light on a practice that’s commonplace in the NFL, though often misunderstood by fans. Every team invests heavily in meticulous behind-the-scenes work to decode their opponents’ strategies. Here’s the kicker: It’s not about stealing—it’s about observing, analyzing, and outsmarting. But some teams do it better than others.
Motions and formation changes are the bread and butter of this intel game. They broadcast and gather a wealth of information, depending on whether you’re on offense or defense. For instance, some motions simply reveal whether a defense is in man or zone coverage. Others can give an offense a numbers advantage or expose how defenses align pre-snap. Defensive coordinators often rely on video departments to compile reels of their opponents’ most frequent plays from specific formations, searching for patterns that could give their players an edge.
Take speed motions, for example. They help receivers gain free releases off the line against aggressive cornerbacks, while also manipulating angles and space deeper in the defense. Other motions shift gaps, altering defenders’ responsibilities. Coaches and players don’t just watch these motions for the end result—they study every small shift and reaction, then incorporate those insights into their game plans.
One NFL offensive assistant coach shared a telling example. Ahead of a game, he noticed how an opponent reacted to fly motions that sent a receiver into the boundary. His team had recently succeeded with longer routes off this motion against a specific zone coverage. However, film study revealed that the upcoming opponent’s cornerbacks played with more depth against these motions. This insight led to a shift in game planning, favoring underneath routes over longer-developing ones.
But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Coaches aren’t just analyzing motions—they’re also decoding verbal and nonverbal communication before the snap. One coordinator recalled a 2016 matchup where film study revealed opposing defensive backs pointing to the sky when facing a certain receiver formation. This signal indicated they wouldn’t match routes but instead drop into specific zones. Armed with this knowledge, the offense adjusted their routes to exploit unoccupied zones.
Another team noticed an opponent frequently signaling a specific blitz against condensed formations. By confirming this pattern through film study, they built counter plays into their game plan. The question remains: Why don’t defenses change such obvious tells? It’s a delicate balance—altering signals risks miscommunication, which can derail an entire play. As one player put it, “You want to disguise, but you never want your disguise to take away from your coverage.”
Modern technology has revolutionized this process. Video crews can now filter every play from every game into endless categories—run plays, pass plays, down and distance, red zone, and more. Coaches start their prep by reviewing explosive plays (20+ yard passes, 10+ yard runs) leaguewide and then focus on their next opponent’s tendencies. Analytics departments further enhance this process, identifying patterns like play-caller habits, successful routes, and even how often a right-handed quarterback throws to his left.
Advance scouts play a crucial role too. They travel to watch opponents in person, observing details that film can’t capture—like sideline communication, tempo changes, and snap timing. For instance, Sean McVay, then a fan, noticed the Atlanta Falcons’ rapid snap timing during their 2017 NFC Championship win. He later incorporated similar strategies into the Rams’ offense, turning it into a key element of their success.
So, here’s the big question: Is this level of intel-gathering a brilliant strategy or a slippery slope? Does it enhance the game or push it into questionable territory? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
