The Jacksonville Jaguars will have to make up for lost time.
With the season ending more than two weeks ago, the team announced Wednesday that it had parted ways with general manager Trent Baalke.
“After several discussions with Trent Baalke this week, we have both come to the conclusion that it is in our mutual interest to respectfully part ways, effective immediately,” owner Shad Khan wrote in a statement.
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Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke walks off the field during the third day of 2024 summer practice at Miller Electric Center at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union/USA Today Network)
“Trent leaves us with my deepest gratitude for his efforts over the past five seasons. … I am deeply committed to building a winner here in Jacksonville and look forward to introducing a new head coach who will make sure that happens. produce for our players and our fans.”
After winning the AFC South in 2022, it’s been a tough season for the organization. The Jags snuffed out what would have been a second straight division win in 2023. This season, in Trevor Lawrence’s first year of one of the most lucrative contract extensions of all time, he took a step in back and the team finished 4-13.
Baalke joined the Jags in 2020 as director of player personnel, but was quickly promoted to general manager the following year. His first draft pick was Lawrence.
Trent Baalke, general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars, speaks during a news conference April 26, 2024 at the Miller Electric Center at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union)
Jacksonville went 25-43 during his tenure.
The split comes after the Titans and Raiders hired new general managers.
Reports indicate that after the Jags fired Doug Pederson, potential head coaching candidates did not want to work under Baalke. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson chose the Bears, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn went with the Jets and Bucs OC Liam Coen decided to return to Tampa Bay instead of going to Jacksonville.
General manager Trent Baalke speaks with first-round pick Trevor Lawrence. (Bob Self/Florida Times-Union/USA Today Network)
Jacksonville has the fifth overall pick in the NFL Draft.
