Jaguars Owner Doesn't Feel Keeping GM Baalke Will Hurt HC Search Despite NFL Rumors

After firing head coach Doug Pederson on Monday, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan made the decision to commit to retaining general manager Trent Baalke for the 2025 season.

Khan stands by his choice to continue working with Baalke, telling reporters that he doesn't believe keeping the GM will negatively impact the team's ability to attract top head coaching candidates.

"We have a very compelling case of what we can offer the head coach… The players, our draft, our salary cap, the city, the facilities, the division," Khan said.

As part of his statement announcing Pederson's firing, Khan said he would "collaborate" with Baalke and others in the organization "to hire a leader who shares my ambition and is ready to seize the extraordinary opportunity we will offer in Jacksonville."

However, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reported that Khan's commitment to Baalke didn't go over very well within league circles:

Baalke joined the Jaguars as director of player personnel in 2020 and was promoted to interim GM that same year before taking over the permanent position in 2021. After finishing the 2024 season with a 4-13 record, Jacksonville is now 25-43 under Baalke's leadership.

The Jaguars will have to work hard to set themselves apart from the other head coach openings around the league if they hope to return to playoff contention.