Juszczyk’s post on X (formerly known as Twitter) was in response to an NFLPA statement about media access to NFL locker rooms. The NFLPA has been advocating for players to have more privacy during post-game and practice locker room sessions, encouraging them to "ask for interviews outside the locker room" to preserve their “privacy and dignity.” This is where Juszczyk took the opportunity to take a direct jab at Cohn, writing, "Maybe we can keep @grantcohn from always hanging around our lockers while we’re changing." Ouch!
This statement is part of a much broader conversation that’s been happening in the NFL for a while. Media access to locker rooms has been a hot topic, especially after the pandemic. During the 2020 and 2021 seasons, media members were completely barred from locker rooms due to COVID-19 restrictions, but those rules were lifted in 2022. Now, with players like Juszczyk and others raising concerns, it seems this debate is far from over.
For example, Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Ted Karras, an NFLPA player representative, has also recently voiced similar concerns. He emphasized the need to protect the “sanctity of the locker room” and suggested new access policies for the Bengals. His sentiments were echoed in the NFLPA’s official statement, which called for an end to the NFL’s “outdated” media access policy. According to the statement, players feel that locker room interviews can be intrusive, violating their privacy, and making them uncomfortable. The NFLPA has even claimed that the NFL and the Pro Football Writers of America have shown "little willingness to collaborate on a new solution."
It’s important to note that this isn’t about completely shutting out the media; rather, it’s about respecting players’ privacy. In their statement, the NFLPA highlighted that this move wasn’t intended to limit media access but to preserve players' dignity. But not everyone is on board with this change, and Cohn, for one, has made his stance pretty clear.
Grant Cohn, the man at the center of this controversy, has been covering the 49ers since 2011. He currently runs a 49ers-focused Sports Illustrated webpage and has a massive following on his YouTube channel, with over 76,000 subscribers. Cohn has always prided himself on being a journalist who asks the tough questions. His bio states that he brings an “old-school mentality” to his work, a trait passed down from his father, Lowell Cohn, a longtime Bay Area columnist. According to Cohn’s SI bio, “His loyalty is to the reader and the viewer, not the team or any player or coach.”
This no-holds-barred approach has earned him a lot of attention, but not always the good kind. He’s been involved in several public spats with 49ers players over the years. In 2020, Arik Armstead called him out, and just last year, Cohn had a highly publicized feud with defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. The incident with Kinlaw even unfolded during a live stream, creating quite the spectacle. Cohn isn’t shy about his persona either—he’s referred to himself as the 49ers’ “quality control” coach in the past, and his sometimes brash style has left him at odds with certain players.
It’s not just his online persona that rubs some players the wrong way. He has a reputation for stirring the pot and taking things to the next level. For instance, last season, Cohn posted a video titled “Grant Cohn Apologizes to 49ers WR Deebo Samuel,” in which he initially apologized to Samuel, then revoked that apology, and eventually said that Samuel owed him a thank-you for sparking his improved performance—all in just the first few seconds of the video! This kind of behavior has caused tension between Cohn and the team, but he doesn’t seem to mind the attention one bit.
Just recently, Cohn was present at a media scrum with Deebo Samuel, where he asked about the 49ers' running back Jordan Mason. Samuel’s response? A simple, “Next question.” This brief exchange was, unsurprisingly, posted on Cohn’s YouTube channel shortly after. Moments like these only fuel the fire between him and the 49ers' locker room, adding to his controversial presence around the team.
Now, let’s get back to Juszczyk’s callout and how Cohn reacted to it. Juszczyk’s comment about not wanting Cohn around while they’re changing clearly struck a nerve. Cohn fired back almost immediately, posting, “I’m starting to think certain players on the 49ers don’t like me.” He didn’t stop there, though. He turned Juszczyk’s comment into two separate videos on his YouTube channel, where he addressed the situation head-on. In one of the videos, he referred to the NFLPA’s statement as “the softest thing I’ve ever heard,” and went on to deny Juszczyk’s insinuation, saying, “I don’t appreciate Kyle Juszczyk insinuating that I want to look at his ass, or any player’s ass, because I really don’t. That’s super unprofessional.”
In typical Cohn fashion, he didn’t hold back, defending his right to be in the locker room and calling out the NFLPA for trying to limit media access. He even went as far as to say that he finds it “wack” that the NFLPA is advocating for changes to locker room access, arguing that it hinders journalists’ ability to do their jobs.
While this might seem like just another media-player feud, it raises an important question: where should the line be drawn between media access and players' right to privacy? On one hand, reporters like Cohn argue that their job is to bring fans the unfiltered truth, even if it ruffles some feathers along the way. On the other hand, players feel that certain spaces, like the locker room, should remain private, a place where they can unwind and prepare without the fear of being filmed or overheard.
This issue isn’t exclusive to the 49ers or even the NFL. It’s a debate that resonates across all professional sports, where athletes are often thrust into the spotlight, sometimes in their most vulnerable moments. The conversation about locker room access, player privacy, and media ethics will likely continue to evolve as both sides search for a balance that works for everyone.
In the end, whether you side with Juszczyk and the NFLPA or Cohn and the journalists who want full access, one thing is clear: this story isn’t going away anytime soon. And with personalities like Cohn involved, you can bet it’s going to be an entertaining ride.
Login