NFL Twitter Reacts to Urban Meyer Handshake, Fury Over Leaked Reports

On Saturday, it was a report of tensions boiling over in the locker room; on Sunday it was a shutout loss and a viral handshake. What's clear is that Jaguars coach Urban Meyer is currently one of the NFL's biggest lightning rods for controversy and criticism.
Following the Jaguars' 20-0 loss to the Titans on Sunday, which eliminated the 2–11 Jaguars from playoff contention, Meyer was the subject of plenty of criticism for his cold handshake with Titans coach Mike Vrabel, who once worked under Meyer as an assistant at Ohio State.
Mike Vrabel was on Urban Meyer’s coaching staff at Ohio State pic.twitter.com/E5v0xfiQWd
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) December 12, 2021
In the postgame press conference, Meyer addressed Tom Pelissero's NFL Network report that detailed an argument he had with receiver Marvin Jones as well as other disputes within the team.
"What's the answer? Starting leaking some information or nonsense? That's garbage," Meyer said, per Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. "...If there is a source, then that source is unemployed. I mean, within seconds."
Per Pelissero, Meyer also reportedly challenged assistants to defend their résumés individually during a recent staff meeting where he told his staff that he was a winner and that they were losers.
On Sunday, the Jaguars struggled to get anything going against the first-place Titans, recording only eight total rushing yards while quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw four interceptions.
Me reading Urban Meyer postgame presser quotes pic.twitter.com/E56eEBEOOF
— Morgan Moriarty (@Morgan_Moriarty) December 12, 2021
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/pcscBVab1W
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) December 12, 2021
Urban Meyer already looks like he's not having fun pic.twitter.com/CIMqZVQ1Vi
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) December 12, 2021
Urban Meyer approaching Mike Vrabel for the postgame handshake. pic.twitter.com/RUWbUgOZz2
— Tim Ryan🦤 (@TheSportsHernia) December 12, 2021
More NFL Coverage:
- Lamar Jackson Carted to Locker Room After Ankle Injury vs. Browns
- Report: Aaron Rodgers's Toe Injury Expected to Linger for Remainder of Season
- Report: Titans' Derrick Henry Preparing to Return By Playoffs
- Report: Urban Meyer Called Assistants Losers, Argued With Marvin Jones

Andrew Gastelum is an editor and writer at Sports Illustrated who specializes in soccer, the Olympics and international sports. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and lives in Italy.
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