NFL Rumors: Jaguars Not Firing GM Baalke 'Raised Some Red Flags' for HC Candidates

The Jacksonville Jaguars are an intriguing landing spot for prospective head coaching candidates this offseason, but one expert highlighted a key flaw in the team's approach.

ESPN's Dan Graziano explained that Jaguars owner Shad Khan's decision to retain general manager Trent Baalke after firing head coach Doug Pederson could hurt their chances of attracting top coaching candidates.

"A week ago, there was a lot of thinking around the league that this could be the spot for [Detroit] Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson -- and of course, it very well still could," Graziano wrote. "But the Jaguars' decision to move on from Pederson and keep GM Trent Baalke has raised some red flags for potential head coach candidates who are hoping to start with a fully clean slate. And it means Johnson could be looking at other situations where he and a new GM would come in together."

Since Baalke took over the permanent GM role in 2021, the Jaguars have a 25-43 record under his leadership. The team went 4-13 this season and will have the No. 5 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Still, Khan told reporters earlier this month that he doesn't think retaining Baalke would hinder the Jaguars in their search for a new head coach.

"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.

It now sounds like Khan's overconfidence could come back to bite him, as the Jaguars will need to work hard to convince coaching candidates to join forces with Baalke.