Here’s Why Even Experts Are Shocked Trent Baalke Hasn’t Been Fired From Jaguars

A number of NFL analysts and broadcasters express shock that Trent Ballke, General Manager for the Jacksonville Jaguars, hasn’t been dismissed along with head coach Doug Pederson. Despite the team ending their 2024 season with a 4-13 record, leading many to expect Pederson’s dismissal, Khan, the owner of the Jaguars, announced on Monday, January 6th, that he had informed Pederson of his intention to hire a new head coach and that Baalke would assist in finding a replacement. Some experts find the continued employment of Ballke “insane” given the team’s poor performance.

Why are NFL experts surprised Trent Baalke is still the Jaguars GM?

Experts also suggest that one reason some head coaches might be hesitant about the vacant Jacksonville Jaguars position is due to the continued presence of Tom Coughlin in a general manager role, who has been associated with the team’s poor performance.

According to FOX Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, he mentioned on X that if the Jaguars kept Baalke as part of their team, it could prove challenging for them to find a new head coach. Owner Khan, despite speaking with numerous individuals, appears to be unchanged in his decision. It’s worth noting that the Jaguars have encountered similar difficulties when attempting to hire a new head coach in the past. A source who spoke with Schultz described this decision as “utterly insane.

Sports analyst Adam Schein made a strong statement on X, calling it “crazy,” “illogical,” and “erroneous” that Baalke still has his job. He suggests that Ben Johnson, currently the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, might be considering this opportunity as a potential head coach candidate for the Jaguars.

Similarly, sports analyst Peter Schrager noted on Good Morning Football that it was intriguing to see Baalke retaining his job while Pederson was fired. He suggested that the role might not be as appealing for high-profile coaches when there’s an existing General Manager in place.

For coaches considering the position, this is especially important if they haven’t previously worked with Baalke. This distinction becomes more notable compared to the vacancies at the New York Jets, as they offer a fresh start following the dismissals of both head coach Robert Saleh and General Manager Joe Douglas.

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2025-01-06 21:44