The Jacksonville Jaguars are reportedly facing a major roadblock as they search for their next head coach.
The Jaguars fired head coach Doug Pederson after three seasons with the team. The team announced the news Monday in a statement posted on X.
Not long after Pederson’s firing, reports emerged indicating that the Jaguars would “struggle to attract a top head coach” for one specific reason: the team retained general manager Trent Baalke. There is said to be “pure shock” from various people around the league at the Jaguars’ decision to fire Pederson but not Baalke.
Multiple sources emphasized last week that the #Jaguars would struggle to attract a top head coach if they kept Trent Baalke. They faced similar challenges during their last coaching search. Owner Shad Khan spoke with many people — but he remains unmoved. Baalke is staying.… https://t.co/rpVVBhNKBu
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 6, 2025
There is pure shock around NFL circles that the #Jaguars opted to keep GM Trent Baalke.
“Unreal.”
“Makes no sense.”
“What has he done to survive two head coaches?”
“The job is not as coveted with Trent there.”
And much more. Many NFL people stunned. https://t.co/bebS5DEMbr
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 6, 2025
At least one coaching candidate has spoken up about Baalke making the Jaguars job less desirable.
“For the Jaguars to change direction, you have to actually change direction. Retaining Trent Baalke greatly diminishes my interest in that job. Lots of promise, but same roadblocks,” an anonymous coaching candidate told Jaguars on SI’s John Shipley.
Baalke has developed a reputation around the league as someone who could be difficult to work with. That reputation has clearly become prominent enough as to limit the Jaguars’ options for its next head coach.
Baalke and Jaguars owner Shad Khan hired Pederson in 2022 after the debacle that was Urban Meyer’s lone year with the team. The hope was that Pederson could help turn Trevor Lawrence into the elite quarterback many expected him to be.
With Lawrence regressing and the Jaguars stumbling to a 4-13 record this season, Pederson’s dismissal was not the biggest surprise. But with Baalke still around, it’s hard to imagine Jacksonville being able to land a major upgrade over the Super Bowl-winning coach. The team has gone 25-43 in the four years since Baalke took over as general manager.
There’s hardly been any coaching stability under Baalke, both in Jacksonville and during his time running the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2016. The Jaguars’ next coaching hire would be the sixth head coach in Baalke’s 10-year run as an NFL GM.
Coaches aren’t the only people reportedly turned off by Baalke, either. Even some Jaguars players have had beef with Baalke over the years.
