For some reason, the Jaguars waited a little longer to part with Trent Baalke.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have parted ways with general manager Trent Baalke. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who tweeted the news minutes before an official statement was released by Jaguars owner Shahid Khan. Baalke, of course, was previously the 49ers general manager, whose tenure in San Francisco was similarly defined by drama and tumult before he was let go.
“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,” Khan said in his 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.”
While Baalke has added some impressive talents through the draft during his tenure in Jacksonville, capitalizing on several high draft picks to add quarterback Trevor Lawrence, edge rusher Travon Walker, running back Travis Etienne, and wide receiver Brian Thomas, he has yet to find much value in the mid to late rounds. Moreover, in a trend familiar to 49ers fans, Baalke has been hesitant to spend on the biggest names in free agency while giving surprisingly sizable deals to less-prominent players who have struggled to make a big impact in Jacksonville.
Worst of all, Baalke has clearly butted heads with several head coaches during his tenure. Much like in San Francisco, when Baalke outstayed several head coaches, including Jim Harbaugh, he managed to follow a similar recipe to keep his job in Jacksonville. However, it seems that the team’s latest head coaching search, which seems to be narrowing in on Robert Saleh, has led Khan to finally go in another direction.
Ironically, Baalke’s firing could have some negative consequences for the 49ers as well. After the other finalist withdrew himself from consideration earlier in the day, Saleh appears to be the only remaining finalist for the job. Barring a late entry into the mix, the former Jets head coach, and presumptive favorite to be the Niners defensive coordinator, will be heading to Jacksonville. That would force head coach Kyle Shanahan to look for someone else to lead his defense.