Jaguars GM Trent Baalke keeps clown figurine in his office to stay motivated

General manager Trent Baalke was under scrutiny for his role in the Jacksonville Jaguars going 3-14 in 2021. But instead of cutting ties with him, owner Shad Khan chose to keep Baalke around. Looking back, the decision paid off, as Baalke was a big reason for the Jags' turnaround last year. However, he's aware the job isn't done and keeps a clown figure in his office to be reminded.

The Jaguars launched a documentary on social media called The Hunt. And in its latest episode, Baalke talks about the mark the Khlown movement left on him.

"Some fans sent that to me, it was a little clown figurine", Baalke said. "I said, 'You know what? I'm going to put up there to remind myself every day why I come to work, what my purpose is. It's proven wrong".

Baalke then discusses how this offseason is different from last year's and how he's got to replenish the roster.

"The basic way that's different, we got 23 people that pick before us. In the last couple of years, we had zero. It's our job to get the board stacked, to work hard with the coaching staff to get as much information about these guys as we can, and make sure we're bringing guys into this culture that fit what we're trying to build here and what we are building here, Baalke said.

The Jags held the first overall pick the last two years but now they're set to pick at No. 24. As Baalke noted, the whole strategy changes. Then again, that's not necessarily a bad thing when you take into account that they'll have plenty of room to maneuver. If there is a player the team's brass likes a lot, they could move up. Similarly, they move out of the first round if they think they can still land "their guy" in the second round.

Either way, Jacksonville will be in a position to come out with a handful of impact players in the draft. Here's Baalke talking about the NFL Scouting Combine and the draft process.

Either way, Jacksonville will be in a position to come out with a handful of impact players in the draft. Here's Baalke talking about the NFL Scouting Combine and the draft process.

Trent Baalke must keep restocking the Jacksonville Jaguars roster

There are different ways to remain motivated. Some people think of the end goal and its rewards. Other people do it for their loved ones. Heck, some might do it out of spite but Trent Baalkehas opted to keep a clown figurine to remind himself of those fans that showed up in full clown costume in the 2021 season finale because they wanted the organization to kick him to the curb.

Regardless of where Baalke finds motivation, he knows he needs to keep loading up on talent if the Jacksonville Jaguars are to return to the playoffs and win the AFC South for the second straight year. The fact that the Jags didn't have much cap space in free agency puts extra pressure on Baalke to nail the draft.

Even though Baalke doesn't seem to be on the hot seat and his job might not be in jeopardy even if the Jags underachieve in 2023, he knows he can't live on the success he had last year.

The Jacksonville Jaguars already have a talented core. They just need reinforcements and if Baalke works his magic, he should be sent a truck full of clown figurines to his office as a sign of appreciation.