Baalke out as Jaguars' GM after four seasons

Trent Baalke is out as the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ general manager, the team announced Wednesday.

The move comes after owner Shad Khan had retained Baalke in the role earlier this month while firing coach Doug Pederson after a 4-13 season.

“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 a statement.

“Trent leaves us with my deepest appreciation for his efforts over the past five seasons. … 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.”

Ethan Waugh will serve as interim general manager, Khan said.

Baalke joined the Jaguars as director of player personnel in February 2020 and was promoted to general manager after Khan fired GM Dave Caldwell that November. Baalke’s tenure started with the selection of quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick in 2021 and included Urban Meyer’s calamitous 13-game span as head coach, the hiring of Pederson, an AFC South title, a rally from a 27-0 deficit to win a wild-card playoff game, the biggest collapse in franchise history, and signing one of the best free agent classes in team history.

But Baalke also made a questionable decision by choosing defensive end Travon Walker over defensive end Aidan Hutchinson with the No. 1 pick in 2022 and signed one of the most disappointing free agent classes in franchise history this season. He also was critical of the team’s lack of identity on offense and defense in 2023, but the same problem has plagued the team this season.

Nine of Baalke’s 38 draft picks from 2021 to 2024 have become full-time starters, including Lawrence, running back Travis Etienne Jr. (25th overall in 2021), cornerback Tyson Campbell (33rd overall in 2021), Walker, linebacker Devin Lloyd (27th overall in 2022), right tackle Anton Harrison (27th overall in 2023), and Thomas (23rd overall in 2024). Lawrence is the only one to make a Pro Bowl.

ESPN’s Michael DiRocco contributed to this report.