Two weeks into their search for a new head coach, the Jacksonville Jaguars unexpectedly moved on from Trent Baalke. This came as a surprise because the controversial general manager was scaring candidates away, but owner Shad Khan was reluctant to move on from him.
It wasn't until Liam Coen shunned the Jags that Khan had enough and dismissed Baalke. On top of having to fill their head coaching vacancy, they'll also have to look for a general manager. Fortunately for them, they'll have no shortage of options.
Ethan Waugh is currently serving as the interim, but the Jaguars should strongly consider going after any of the following candidates to replace Baalke full-time.
John Dorsey, Detroit Lions senior personnel executive
Assistant general manager Ray Agnew has earned lots of praise for helping turn the Detroit Lions into a perennial contender. It will be a matter of time before he's offered to lead a front office. However, senior personnel executive John Dorsey has also played a role. The difference is that he's got experience as a general manager, having previously held the position for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns.
While Dorsey has miscues throughout his career, he also has an impressive track record of identifying talent in the draft. He wanted the Chiefs to draft Patrick Mahones and staked his reputation on him. He also selected star pass rusher Myles Garrett, tight end David Njoku, running back Nick Chubb, and defensive back Denzel Ward. The Jags could use some of his magic.
Champ Kelly, Las Vegas Raiders assistent general manager
Champ Kelly was a finalist for the Raiders' general manager opening. The job ultimately went to Dave Ziegler but when he was given the boot in 2023, Kelly was promoted to interim.
Last year, Kelly was once again a candidate for the vacancy but saw the job go, for the second time, to someone else. This time, it was to Tom Telesco, whose stint in the desert lasted just one year.
The Raiders are once again looking for a general manager, and nobody would blame Kelly if he wants to see what else is out there.
Just last year, Las Vegas did a superb job of finding a trio of building blocks in tight end Brock Bowers, center Jackson Powers-Johnson, and offensive lineman DJ Glaze. Imagine what Kelly could do if he got a job full-time.
Chad Alexander, Los Angeles Chargers assisstant general manager
Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz oversaw an overhaul of the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024. The duo now looks to build off of an impressive first season, the trouble is that their success could cost them Chad Alexander.
Hortiz and Alexander have known each other for a while but their friendship isn't the reason the former brought in the latter. Here's what the Los Angeles had to say about the hire.
"Is he a friend? Yes," Hortiz said via the team's official website. "He didn't get hired through because he's a friend. He was hired because of the confidence and the trust I have in him as an evaluator and leader."
Hortiz revamped the Bolt's roster and Alexander will get to do the same for his own team sooner rather than later.
Rick Spielman, former Minnesota Vikings general manager
Here's another candidate with experience at the position, and one the Jaguars are familiar with. Right after hiring Doug Pederson in 2022, owner Shad Khan placed a request to hire a vice president of football operations and set his sights on Rick Spielman for the job.
Eventually, the Jags gave up on the idea of an EVP because Trent Baalke and Pederson seemingly got along well. That said, it wouldn't hurt to kick the tires on Spielman. After all, he was the Minnesota Vikings' president of player personnel for six years before getting promoted to general manager in 2012.
Spielman ended up holding the position until 2021. Since then, he's run a consulting search and overseen The 33rdTeam, an outlet that covers the NFL. Jacksonville should give him a call and see if he's willing to come out of retirement.
Alec Halaby, Philadelphia Eagles assistant general manager
Howie Roseman has played a massive role in helping the Philadelphia Eagles enjoy sustained success dating back to the mid-2010s even though they've employed different head coaches.
Aside from knowing how to consistently replenish the roster, Roseman has routinely done a superb job of acquiring proven talent while managing the cap. Along the way, he brought Alec Halaby under his wing.
Roseman taught Halaby the ropes, and it looks like he's ready to make the leap. He interviewed for the New York Jets general manager vacancy but seems to have lost to Lance Newmark.
Halaby surely feels disappointed that he didn't get the job, but he should soon be a candidate for an opening once again. Maybe the one the Jaguars currently have after firing Trent Baalke.