The Jacksonville Jaguars weren't good enough in 2023 to make the playoffs. They've already got to work to avoid a repeat next season, dismissing defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and most assistants on the defensive side of the ball. They didn't make as many changes on offense, but it's clear they believed the current staff wasn't getting the most out of the players. Regardless of who comes next, the Jags need to revamp the roster. Otherwise, the changes to the staff will be pointless. That's where general manager Trent Baalke comes in.
One of the reasons Jacksonville regressed in 2023 was that the front office didn't bolster the roster because they expected several players to improve. Instead of hoarding talent, and fortifying potential areas of need, they stayed put throughout most of the offseason. This exposed the lack of depth on the offensive line and the need for a third pass rusher behind Travon Walker and Josh Allen.
The fact that many of the free agents the Jaguars signed in 2022 ended up underperforming didn't help matters. They paid a premium for players such as right guard Brandon Scherff and defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi and didn't get enough bang for their buck. It didn't help matters that they didn't get enough production from the 2023 class outside of first-round pick Anton Harrison and a couple of late-round selections such as Antonio Johnson and Parker Washington.
Now, Baalke finds himself where he was late in the 2021 season when fans showed up at EverBank Stadium (then TIAA Bank Field) in full clown costume because they believed the operation had turned into a circus. But in spite of fan pressure, owner Shad Khan didn't waver and kept Baalke around, arguing that he was the right man to right the ship.
Baalke's reputation got a boost after making enough upgrades to the roster to help Jacksonville win the AFC South and win the playoffs. Nobody will that away from him, he played an integral role in putting the Jaguars in a position to succeed. The issue is that he took the gas off the pedal in 2023.
Instead of getting a third pass rusher, and adding depth to the interior offensive line, the biggest move Baalke made in the offseason was inking veteran Brandon McManus. While it paid off, he should've been more aggressive. Also, the Jags made 12 picks in the draft but they got minimal production from their rookie class.
In particular, running back Tank Bigsby and tight end Brenton Strange, drafted in Rounds 3 and 2, respectively, left much to be desired. While Travis Etienne and Evan Engram were ahead of him on the depth chart, they barely got any playing time. The coaching staff must've thought they hadn't done enough to earn snaps. Otherwise, they would've thrust them both onto the field, but they didn't.
The Jaguars now enter the 2024 season with most of the same needs they had last year, and that's on Baalke, not Doug Pederson, not Press Taylor, nor the players.
Where does Jaguars GM Trent Baalke stand entering the 2024 offseason?
Baalke has had a rocky reputation dating back to his days as the general manager of the San Francisco 49ers, often clashing with head coach Jim Harbaugh. Ultimately, Baalke won the standoff but he didn't come out scathered. He was seen as difficult to work with across the league. That said, it was his failure to revamp the 49ers what got him fired in 2017, not his personality.
Still, it was a bit odd to see him get a job as a director of player personnel with the Jaguars in 2020. When Dave Caldwell was promoted later that year, he became the interim general manager and got the job full-time after an extended search. During his first year at the helm, the Jags drafted Travis Etienne, running back Travis Etienne, offensive lineman Walker Little, cornerback Tyson Campbell, safety Andre Cisco, and tight end Luke Farrell.
But despite acquiring a handful of potential building blocks, Baalke was still part of the team during the Urban Meyer debacle, so it was reasonable to think that the Jaguars needed a full rebuild if they wanted to turn things around. During the search for a new head coach to replace Meyer, Byron Leftwich made it clear he didn't want to work with Baalke and would instead bring Arizona Cardinals executive Adrian Wilson with him.
The team's refusal to dismiss Baalke ultimately led Byron Leftwich to withdraw his name from consideration for the opening, even though it was reported that his signing was imminent. Once Leftwich was out, the Jaguars gave the job to Doug Pederson, who was willing to work with Baalke.
The relationship worked, and the duo took the Jaguars to the playoffs and their first AFC South title since 2021. Together, they'll need to work on the issues that held the team back in 2023 if they don't want their sit to turn burning hot.
Trent Baalke is under pressure to retool the roster
The Jaguars have several glaring holes following the conclusion of the 2023 season. The cupboard isn't bare. Trevor Lawrence, tight end Evan Engram, Christian Kirk, cornerback Darious Williams and bookend pass rushers Travon Walker and Josh Allen, to name a few, give Trent Baalke several building blocks to work with.
Baalke now needs to add a center to replace Luke Fortner, who's been underwhelming, give stability to the left guard position, and get rid of all the dead weight. Players whose performance isn't proportional to their salary must walk the plank. Right guard Brandon Scherff, and defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi come to mind.
By now, the Jaguars should know what holes they need to fix, and they cannot afford to lie to themselves again. Last year, they thought they had enough talent in place to return to the playoffs. It was a big miscalculation on their part. And here's the thing. If they do effectively take care of the team's needs, the noise will go away.
Give Trevor Lawrence a good offensive line, and re-sign Josh Allen and Calvin Ridley. Add depth to the roster and fix the interior offensive line. All those are achievable goals, and if they pull it off, they should return to the playoffs. Also, Trent Baalke's seat will cool down considerably.
Conversely, Baalke should be under significant scrutiny if he isn't able to replenish the roster. That's how things work, right? Do a good job, and get the recognition. Fail, and you get what you deserve.