Jacksonville Jaguars part ways with GM Trent Baalke

The Jacksonville Jaguars have parted ways general manager Trent Baalke. The decision by the Jaguars was made as they are in the middle of their search for a new head coach.

“Following several discussions with Trent Baalke this week, we both arrived at the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interests to respectfully separate, effective immediately,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement. “Trent leaves us with my deepest appreciation for his efforts over the past five seasons.  Ethan Waugh will serve as interim general manager and play an important role, with others, as we continue the process of interviewing candidates to serve as our new head coach.  I am deeply committed to building a winner here in Jacksonville and look forward to introducing a new head coach who will make that happen for our players and fans alike.”

When the Jaguars fired Doug Pederson as head coach, there was speculation about Baalke’s future. NFL insider Josina Anderson said Jaguars fans should not be surprised by the team parting ways with Trent Baalke because Khan “remained open” to having someone else come in and report to him “upon the hiring of a new coach.”

Baalke was in the final year of his five-year contract. After the Jaguars fired Doug Pederson earlier this month, Khan said he would considered adding an executive vice president of football operations as a layer between himself, Baalke and the new head coach.

More on Trent Baalke’s career as GM

Baalke joined the Jaguars in 2020 as the team’s director of player personnel. He was promoted to interim general manager after the team fired David Caldwell. Baalke was named full-time GM once the 2020 season ended. During his time as general manger, the Jaguars went 25-43 and won the AFC South in 2022.

Before joining the Jaguars, Baalke was the general manager of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2016. During his first season as the 49ers GM, Baalke was named PFWA Executive of the Year after the team finished 13-3. In Baalke’s first three seasons as GM, the 49ers won two NFC West titles, reached the NFC Championship game three times and played in one Super Bowl. In Baalke’s last three seasons, the 49ers complied a 15-33 record and did not reach the playoffs.