The Jacksonville Jaguars announced that they have parted ways with general manager Trent Baalke on Wednesday afternoon.
This was a move that many thought would come immediately after the season, however, the decision to retain Baalke over these past few weeks may have cost the Jaguars the top two head coaching candidates on their wish list.
Now, in addition to parsing through the remaining head coaching options that are out there, they will now begin their search for a new general manager, while the top candidates are already finding new homes.
Let’s take a look at the initial reactions on social media to the Baalke news.
The timing on this is of course bizarre, but retaining Trent Baalke after the season had drawn no shortage of skepticism around the NFL.
The Jaguars now need a new coach and GM. https://t.co/HLIIZIKEO5
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 22, 2025
There might not be a bigger fumble this cycle than how the #Jaguars handled this. Top coaching candidates were never going to Jacksonville with Trent Baalke still in place. Now, after all the top names have turned them down, the team (owner) finally realizes it. What a mess. https://t.co/7gIzAfDC4A
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 22, 2025
Around the NFL, executives were stunned when Trent Baalke was retained after the season. Many called it malpractice and some laughed at the decision. It’s fair to wonder where the #Jaguars would be if they had fired him two weeks ago. What was once an attractive HC job became… https://t.co/sRQrhopYrP pic.twitter.com/0Wc4BzGy8P
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 22, 2025
From our Championship Wednesday coverage: What’s next for Jacksonville, with GM Trent Baalke out as GM. pic.twitter.com/BUKksPjEC8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 22, 2025
“How much has it cost the Jaguars to keep Trent Baalke?” pic.twitter.com/l3vDHRwGu9
— Josh Wilson (@JoshWilsonSB) January 22, 2025
#Jaguars fans get their wish as Trent Baalke is out as GM, effective immediately, announces by owner Shad Khan. Ethan Waugh will serve as interim GM. Looks like two coaching candidates turning down Jags had an impact.
— Eugene Frenette (@GeneFrenette) January 22, 2025
Statement from #Jaguars owner Shad Khan on parting ways with GM Trent Baalke. pic.twitter.com/xwDNc531dI
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 22, 2025
The last time one of Trent Baalke’s teams won double-digit games in a season was in 2013 😬
Baalke’s Win% in Jacksonville (2021-24): .368% (28th)
Baalke’s Win% in San Francisco (2011-16): .536% (14th) https://t.co/Rk2I5N343M pic.twitter.com/728cir8Tv2
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) January 22, 2025
Since Trent Baalke and Jim Harbaugh joined the 49ers in 2011, three of Baalke’s four HC hires as GM were one-and-done https://t.co/n23eayveJp pic.twitter.com/zQcyzAZaHu
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) January 22, 2025
Jaguars’ record since Trent Baalke walked through the door in 2020: 27-59, a .314 winning percentage.
— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) January 22, 2025
reading the tea leaves: good coaches didn’t want to work with trevor lawrence (!) because of trent baalke, who saw three coaching regimes (jim harbaugh, jim tomsula, chip kelly) before getting the boot in san francisco and another three (doug marrone, urban meyer, doug pederson)… https://t.co/r0GY9CiB6a
— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) January 22, 2025
