The Jacksonville Jaguars have had quite the season. Head coach Urban Meyer made history for a coaching stint that went down in flames faster than anyone could have anticipated. Rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence was expected to struggle but it’s been hard to see how he can grow in this environment. Owner Shad Khan hemmed and hawed all season long about the state of the franchise and, after finally firing Meyer, tried to rewrite the script on how it all happened in order to save face (and financials). Meanwhile, plenty of current players and former players have had a lot to say about the state of things over there.
So it might make sense for Khan to completely clean house and think about how he can start fresh for the sake of the players and the fanbase. However, that does not appear to be the path he’s going down as Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday that the Jaguars intend to keep general manager Trent Baalke, who has been at the center of all these issues.
From @NFLTotalAccess: The #Jaguars head coaching search kicks into gear with GM Trent Baalke to be retained and assist owner Shad Khan. Plus, the status of #49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo is now in doubt with a torn ligament in his throwing thumb. pic.twitter.com/3c8mqmgxKx
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 28, 2021
The Jaguars have been arguably the worst franchise in the NFL during the two years that Baalke has been general manager and there isn’t much faith that the team will turn around anytime soon. And Ballke is no stranger to being a part of failed coaching experiments. Plus, considering the Jaguars are 41-118 since Khan took over as team owner, it’s not like people are all that excited about him either.
NFL folks inside and outside Jacksonville voiced their frustrations over the report on social media.
And they will not get many candidates they want directly because of this decision… https://t.co/4k1WIftKI8
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) December 28, 2021
If the Jags retain Trent Baalke, that will certainly affect the candidate list for the HC job. https://t.co/tIcaTYI1Y2
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 28, 2021
If Baalke is indeed retained, McDaniels might not consider. An indication the Khans are seeking to do this piecemeal, and Baalke will want his guy/someone who won’t threaten. Of course things can change but not a great opener. https://t.co/6E4o618fvx
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) December 28, 2021
A stunner for lots of reasons that has built momentum over the last few days. Baalke would need to overhaul his FA approach completely IMO, which I don't see happening. https://t.co/fCPJ6pCfEL
— John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) December 28, 2021
I guess the Jags are really embracing the whole “we will suck no matter what” mantra by keeping a GM who already really sucks https://t.co/dtClSlRDFy
— Daniel Ogden (@OGTrinny) December 28, 2021
Suffice it to say that if Shad Khan was hoping to energize his fanbase and intice some of the top head coaching candidates to the franchise, he appears to have failed. Again.
