The Jacksonville Jaguars were operating with a set time frame but they got it done. They hired a new general manager just in time to go to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. After conducting an extensive search, the Jags chose James Gladstone to lead the front office. The move shouldn't come as a surprise, though.
Even though Gladstone has never held a job, he routinely got praised for his work as the director of scouting with the Los Angeles Rams. He held the position for four years before interviewing with the Jags.
Former All-Pro left tackle Andrew Whitworth often raved about Gladstone, and Kara Henderson Snead, wife of Rams general manager Les Snead, was enthused to find out that he was interviewing for the Jaguars opening and later that he got the job.
LET’S GOOOO!!!! https://t.co/M9Kab6qgak
— Kara Henderson Snead (@KaraHenderson) February 21, 2025
Jaguars owner Shad Khan made it clear that he was impressed with Gladstone's work in Los Angeles, citing his vision, new ideas, communication, and chemistry as some of the reasons he got the job.
A statement from Jaguars Owner Shad Khan. pic.twitter.com/AsQ4mF5YrE
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) February 21, 2025
As Khan stated, Gladstone will now work in conjunction with new head coach Liam Coen to help the Jaguars bounce back after finishing 4-13 last year.
Who was James Gladstone before he became the new Jaguars general manager?
Gladstone was in his fourth season as the Los Angeles Rams director of scouting. In that role, his responsibilities were to scout prospective players and provide frequent analysis on special projects.
It's hard to tell from an outside perspective just how involved Gladstone was in the Rams draft process but during his stint as the director of scouting, Los Angeles had several hits, including but not limited to: Pass rusher Jared Verse, wide receiver Puka Nacua, running back Kyren Williams, defensive tackle Braden Fiske, defensive end Byron Young, defensive lineman Kobie Turner, and defensive back Kamren Kichens.
Gladstone graduated from Westminster College in 2023 and went on to have several roles at Clayton High School in St. Louis, Missouri. He was also the media and literacy coordinator and football coach at S. John Vianney High School, also in St. Louis.
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How did the Jaguars ended with James Gladstone?
The Jacksonville Jaguars originally wanted to keep Trent Baalke after the 2024 season despite the fact that he had a massive role in their 3-14 record. Owner Shad Khan even went as far as saying that the embattled general manager was integral to the team's success.
However, Khan changed his stance on Baalke after he realized that the general manager was scaring head coaching candidates away. And just a couple days after ousting him, the Jaguars hired Liam Coen.
Surprisingly, the Jags didn't start looking for a new general manager after firing Baalke. First, they focused on helping Coen assemble his staff, and once he was done, they began the search. The organization put together an intriguing list of candidates and left no stone unturned in the search.
Ultimately, the Jaguars settled on Gladstone just in time, and a few days before, the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
While Gladstone has his work cut out, the cupboard isn't bare. Already, the Jaguars have a franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence. They also have a pair of talented pass rushers in Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen, and bonafide No. 1 receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
The new general manager will now need to surround those pieces with more talent to ensure head coach Liam Coen has enough playmakers to work with and help the Jaguars get back on track as soon as possible.