Jaguars urged to dismiss GM Trent Baalke amid lackluster results

Head coach Doug Pederson is on the hot seat due to his inability to rack up wins. If the Jacksonville Jaguars ultimately dismiss him, and you could make a strong case that they should, they must also give general manager Trent Baalke his walking papers. After all, he's also played a role in the team's struggles the past two years. Mike Jones of The Athletic agrees.

Jones drew up a list of NFL general managers who are on the hot seat and included Baalke, pointing out that he's had several chances to put the Jags in a position to succeed but has failed.

"Baalke has been blessed with high draft picks, ample cap space and the patience and support of owner Shad Khan, yet he has failed to turn the Jaguars into a contender. Charged with addressing the team’s most pressing areas of need, Baalke has repeatedly swung and missed and now is headed for his second double-digit-loss season in four years. He’s 23-39 in three-plus regular seasons.

After a 2023 campaign marked by regression and a second-half collapse, the Jaguars hoped to regain their 2022 playoff form, but instead have gotten even worse. "

Jones goes on to say that Baalke hasn't been able to get Jacksonville over the hump in spite of Trevor Lawrence, who was dubbed a generational talent before the draft. He closes his argument by saying that "each dismal performance" makes it clear that owner Shad Khan must move on from both his general manager and head coach.

Other general managers on the list are Tom Telesco (Las Vegas Raiders), Chris Ballard (Indianapolis Colts), Joe Schoen (New York Giants), and Andrew Berry (Cleveland Browns). Some of them may have not deserved to make the cut but Baalke absolutely does.

After spending several years leading the San Francisco 49ers' front office, Baalke joined Jacksonville as their director of player personnel in 2020. He was promoted to interim general manager later that year when Dave Caldwell was dismissed and got the job full-time in 2021.

Since taking over, Baalke has had several hits, including but not limited to cornerback Tyson Campbell, defensive end Travon Walker, and wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. However, his misses — especially in free agency — have been too many too overcome.

To make matters worse, Baalke's stubborness to address key needs has held the team back. Back in 2023, the interior offensive line and the pass rush needed upgraded but he refuse to take care of either one. Similarly, the secondary needed reinforcements and the interior defensive front could have used a boost this past offseason but he ignored both.

The Jaguars must dismiss Trent Baalke after failing to deliver results

All things considered, Trent Baalke has had ample time to turn the Jacksonville Jaguars into a perennial contender but has come up short. If Doug Pederson goes, why shouldn't he? The New York Jets just cleaned house, dismissing both their general manager and head coach. If they did it, the Jags can do it too.

In recent weeks, Mike Florio brought up the idea of pairing Baalke with Bill Belichick because they previously worked together. But the truth is that the Jags need to bring in him a new voice, one that shares his vision and is willing to be part of a collaborative effort. Baalke isn't that guy. Throughout his stint with the Jags, he's routinely avoided talking to the press, which grants him plenty of cover for his shortcomings and puts the spotlight on the owner and general manager.

While a general manager doesn't have to meet with the press every week, doing it on a consistent basis brings transparency to his process. That said, nobody would complain if Baalke kept things close the chest if the Jaguars were winning, but they're not and that's why he needs to go.

The Jacksonville Jaguars could end up keeping both Pederson and Baalke if they somehow run the table and qualify for the postseason. But in case they don't — and there's a strong chance they won't — they need to clean house and start over. After all, it wouldn't make sense to keep doing the same and expect different results, right?

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