The Jacksonville Jaguars were expected to part ways with Doug Pederson after the regular season ended. It didn't take them long to pull the trigger and dismiss the head coach following the overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the finale. Unfortunately, they're taking a half measure, as general manager Trent Baalke is staying.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported early on Black Monday — the day after the regular season is over — that the Jags had fired Pederson. Other outlets were also quick to share the scoop.
Jacksonville Jaguars fired Doug Pederson as their head coach, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 6, 2025
Pederson’s tenure in Jacksonville ends after three season and a 22-29 record, including 18 losses in the last 23 games. pic.twitter.com/MfAayhTcQz
Not long after Schefter broke the news that the Jaguars were giving Pederson the boot, owner Shad Khan explained his reasoning for firing his head coach and noted that Baalke will stay.
Statement from #Jaguars owner Shad Khan, who says GM Trent Baalke is staying. https://t.co/wpdlKuiqa0 pic.twitter.com/snjZterahk
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 6, 2025
Following the Urban Meyer era in 2022, the Jaguars conducted an extensive search for a head coach in 2022 and chose Pederson. At the time, they were looking for someone who could get the most out of Trevor Lawrence and help them bounce back from what was one of the most taxing seasons in franchise history. He delivered on both ends.
Pederson helped the Jags recover from the Meyer debacle and led them to the playoffs in his first season at the helm. However, they failed to qualify for the postseason in 2023 after an 8-3 start. Expected to bounce back, Jacksonville only kept getting worse and finished 3-14 in 2024.
On the other hand, Baalke joined the Jaguars as their vice president of player personnel in 2020 and was promoted to interim general manager later that year when Dave Caldwell was dismissed. Jacksonville gave him the job full-time in 2021.
While he had a handful of hits throughout his stints, Baalke has also had several misses, especially in free agency. However, his biggest flaw is his inability to get along with the coaching staff dating back to his time with the San Francisco 49ers.
The Jaguars won't attract the best coaching candidates with Trent Baalke as the GM
General manager Trent Baalke is known for being difficult to work with. Like Doug Pederson, he was expected to get the pink slip, but it looks like he somehow convinced Shad Khan that he deserved to keep his job and the head coach was mostly at fault for the team's regressing in 2024.
The issue with keeping Baalke isn't his track record at acquiring talent. He's certainly acquired several building blocks. The trouble is that the best head-coaching candidates will skip the Jaguars because of their general manager.
For instance, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has made it clear that he will work with a general manager who has the same vision as him. Baalke probably doesn't fit that description, and the Jags will have trouble landing him if he's their top candidate.
Shad Khan must reconsider his stance and move on from Trent Baalke. He already showed he cannot get the Jaguars over the hump, and if he stays, things won't be much different than they were the past two years. There's still ample time, so the owner has the chance to do the right thing for the Jags.