By ATTS Jacksonville Jaguars Fire General Manager Trent Baalke
The Jacksonville Jaguars and general manager Trent Baalke have parted ways, the team announced Wednesday.
Head coach Doug Pederson was fired earlier this year, but owner Shad Khan initially stood by Baalke. Now, the team will continue its search for Pederson’s replacement, while beginning one for a new GM.
Baalke’s Departure Comes Amid Coaching Search
Baalke’s departure comes more than two weeks after the Jaguars fired Pederson, and the timing is intriguing. Earlier Wednesday, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen — a top candidate for the Jaguars’ open coaching job — voluntarily pulled his name from consideration for the position in Jacksonville, choosing to instead return to Tampa with a pay raise in hand.
Hours later, Baalke was out as Jaguars GM. The timing could be nothing more than a coincidence, but it does point to the Jaguars’ lack of direction in the last six months.
Khan: “It Is in Our Mutual Best Interests to Respectfully Separate”
“Following several discussions with Trent Baalke this week, we both arrived at the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interests to respectfully separate, effective immediately,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement.
“Trent leaves us with my deepest appreciation for his efforts over the past five seasons. Ethan Waugh will serve as interim general manager and play an important role, with others, as we continue the process of interviewing candidates to serve as our new head coach. I am deeply committed to building a winner here in Jacksonville and look forward to introducing a new head coach who will make that happen for our players and fans alike.”
Baalke’s Tenure in Jacksonville
Baalke leaves Jacksonville after five years spent in their front office, rising from director of player personnel to interim GM and eventually, permanent GM. He served in that role from 2021-24, overseeing the selection of quarterback Trevor Lawrence, his Clemson teammate Travis Etienne, and a host of others that helped Jacksonville defeat the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2022 postseason before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round.
That would be the last time the Jaguars reached the playoffs under Baalke, melting down in the back half of the 2023 season to finish 9-8 and miss the postseason. A year later, they hit rock bottom, finishing 4-13.
Conclusion
It remains to be seen whether the next regime can revive the Jaguars in short order. Khan appears to have realized the need for a fresh start and acted swiftly to part ways with Baalke.
The Jaguars will now focus on finding a new head coach and general manager who can lead the team to success in the future.