With Ryan Nielsen serving as the defensive coordinator, head coach Doug Pederson of the Jacksonville Jaguars has started the team’s offseason. Even though Nielsen was unanimously chosen to succeed Mike Caldwell, it seems Jacksonville may still be going through internal strife.
Following the Jaguars’ collapse in the second half, rumors circulated that the coaching staff and front office were at odds. Although Pederson was not in danger of losing his job, there were rumors in the NFL that he didn’t have the best connection with Jacksonville’s management.
Late in the season, the Jaguars really fell apart. Jacksonville had an 8-3 start and was in a good position to win the AFC South and host a postseason game the next year. Pederson’s squad, on the other hand, dropped five of its previous six games, including a Week 18 28-20 loss to the Tennessee Titans that denied them a postseason berth.
Even though quarterback Trevor Lawrence is anticipated to eventually sign a lucrative contract extension and there is still hope for the future, particularly with Nielsen’s hire, it looks as though one important Jaguars official may depart the team.
Former Jaguars beat writer Pete Prisco shared a report from around the NFL that general manager Trent Baalke would leave the organization during an appearance on the CBS Sports Pick Six program.
The head of player personnel for the Jaguars since 2020, Baalke will be 60 in February. Following the dismissal of general manager David Caldwell in November 2020, Baalke assumed the position as temporary general manager and has remained in it through several coaching staff changes.
The selection of edge rusher Travon Walker over Aidan Hutchinson with the first pick in the 2022 NFL Draft was made by Jacksonville’s general manager. The Jaguars’ draft selections in 2022 and 2023 failed to provide the team the starting depth or the launching talent required to overcome obstacles.
Baalker’s resignation would probably be the final one he takes on as general manager of an NFL team. Although it is much more likely that he will stay in Jacksonville, there is rising conjecture among league officials that Baalke may not be a long-term member of the Jaguars.
