The Jacksonville Jaguars are retaining general manager for the 2025 season, only moving on from head coach Doug Pederson last week. However, that decision by owner Shad Khan does seem to be flexible if the right head coaching candidate comes along.
In the latest edition of Albert Breer’s Monday Morning Quarterback article, he had this to say about the Jaguars’ head coaching search, and what it could mean for Baalke:
“Jaguars owner Shad Khan has expressed some flexibility to coaching candidates on his decision to retain GM Trent,” wrote Breer. “And my read on that is this: If a coach has the leverage to get what he wants from the team, then Khan could still pull the plug on Baalke.”
After a four-win season, the feeling as the offseason approached was that in addition to moving on from Pederson, the Jaguars were going to do the same with Baalke.
During his four year tenure as the team’s general manager, the Jaguars have a record of 25-43. Sandwiched in between a three win season in 2021 and a four win season in 2024, are two 9-8 seasons that include one playoff berth and one playoff win.
However, under Baalke’s command, the Jaguars have struggled to find stability at the head coaching position. If Baalke remains at the helm for the 2025 season, this will be his third head coach in five years.
The Jaguars have requested to interview 10 different coaching candidates at this time. So far, we know that five have accepted those requests. This group includes Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spanuolo, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, and former Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
Breer would also say recently on a radio appearance on 1010XL with Rick Ballou that his “feeling” is that, Johnson specifically, would want to bring in his own general manager if he decides to head to Jacksonville.
