Jaguars can’t take half measures, must move on from GM Trent Baalke

The Jacksonville Jaguars might be aware that general manager Trent Baalke is holding up their head-coaching search. Maybe that’s why they interviewed former Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman for a position in their front office.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Spielman interviewed for a high-level front office role with the Jags, although he doesn’t specify what position it would be. Mike Garafolo then clarifies that Spielman didn’t apply for a general manager position, so Baalke could potentially stay.

Spielman was the Vikes’ director of player personnel from 2006 to 2011 and was promoted to general manager in 2012. He held the position until he was fired, along with head coach Mike Zimmer, earlier this year. During his tenure in Minnesota, he acquired players such as safety Harrison Smith, running back Delvin Cook, tight end Kyle Rudolph, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, defensive end Danielle Hunter, and wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

Even though Spielman was good at identifying talent, he couldn’t get the Vikings over the hump, making the playoffs six times but playing in the NFC Championship only twice. You could make the case that his biggest failure in Minnesota was his inability to find an upper-echelon quarterback. While Kirk Cousins brought stability at the position, he’s been good but not great. On the bright side, he wouldn’t have to worry about that in Jacksonville due to the presence of Trevor Lawrence. Regardless of his role with the team, he could help put the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft in a position to succeed.

What would Rick Spielman bring to the Jacksonville Jaguars?

It’s not a give that Spielman will join the Jaguars’ front office, and it’s unlikely that he would like to play second fiddle to Baake. Maybe Jacksonville wants to bring him with the intention of eventually making him the general manager but would that approach work? It doesn’t look like Baalke will voluntarily step down. Also, if the Jags want Spielman to be their general manager, they would need to interview two minority candidates to satisfy the Rooney Rule.

Spielman would be a great addition to the Jaguars’ front office but will his voice would be loud enough to make a difference? Had the organization planned to interview from the very beginning, the process would have more legitimacy. But right now, it gives the appearance the Jags are doing some kind of damage control to show potential head coaching candidates that they are a well-run team.

The truth is that as long as Baalke stays in Jacksonville, the Jaguars will have a hard time filling their head coaching vacancy. At this point, Byron Leftwich no longer seems like a viable candidate for the position and they’re running out of options. The Jags just interviewed former Philadephia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson for the second time and met with former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Rich Bisaccia. Neither of them were seem like an option a week ago.

While there’s a chance this will work out in the end, the Jaguars’ decision to hold onto Baalke has hindered their head coaching search. If they want to make things right, they need to clean house and hire Spielman or Adrian Wilson for their general manager position.