It's over between the Jaguars and Trent Baalke (general manager). After suffering two setbacks in the quest for their new coach (Ben Johnson and Liam Coen), Jacksonville is sinking a little deeper into uncertainty. A few weeks earlier, Shad Khan, the owner of the franchise, had defended his decision to keep Baalke in his position.
“After several discussions, we came to the conclusion that it was in our common interest to end our collaboration, with immediate effect. I really appreciate the efforts that Trent has made over the last five seasons,” announced the owner according to Ian Rapoport.
This choice has certainly cooled several candidates for the coaching position as reported by John Shipley (SI.com).
“The Jaguars want to change direction, so they really need to change. Keeping Baalke greatly diminished my interest in the position. Lots of great promises but always the same roadblocks,” said an anonymous candidate in Shipley.
Once again, Shad Khan demonstrates his incompetence, he who claimed that keeping Baalke would not slow down the hiring process. As a result, he will now have to find a manager and a coach. And given the dysfunction that seems chronic in Jacksonville, the task could prove much more complicated than expected.
What next for the Jaguars?
As Khan announced, it is for the moment the assistant general manager Ethan Waugh who will take over in the interim. His particular mission will be to continue job interviews for the position of coach. For the moment, only Robert Saleh and Patrick Graham remain in the race. Two coaches with a defensive profile therefore. Logical, when we know that Trevor Lawrence (QB) is struggling to reach the level that would make him the expected superstar.
The Jaguars still have time but the most coveted candidates have already found their happiness. It would be better for the franchise to have a clear direction before the next draft, in which the Jags will have the fifth pick, among others.
