By Hays Carlyon
Finally, we got some clarity.
Jaguars owner Shad Khan had an opening statement and then fielded 13 questions before ultimately revealing the main takeaway from Saturday’s press conference introducing new coach Doug Pederson.
There is more help on the way. Help that should minimize general manager Trent Baalke’s role.
Khan confirmed that he is pursuing an executive vice president of football operations. That role has been absent since Tom Coughlin was fired during the 2019 season.
“We have filed request with the NFL for EVP, so we’ll be doing that process,” Khan said.
This move is crucial for the Jaguars for multiple reasons. First off, Khan is often involved in his vast other business pursuits that don’t involve the Jaguars. He needs someone that can clearly communicate what is going on with the football operation.
Baalke’s continued employment also makes the EVP renaissance a wise move. Baalke has been a part of five different coaches being fired in his last five seasons as a general manager. The streak began in San Francisco with Jim Harbaugh, Jim Tomsula and Chip Kelly. The trend has continued in Jacksonville with Doug Marrone and Urban Meyer.
Baalke was largely viewed around the league as a hinderance to the coaching search.
That process concluded in fine fashion. Pederson is an ideal choice to bring the Jaguars out of their losing ways under Khan.
Pederson won the press conference, blending his nice-guy personality with his accomplished football acumen. He will now work on building his staff and expressed a high degree of confidence that it will be a smooth process.
The Jaguars haven’t enjoyed much alignment and harmony between the coaching staff and front office in recent years. An EVP should help create that environment as Pederson and Baalke begin their working relationship.
Saturday was a good day because of Pederson. It then became potentially a great day with the hesitant reveal from Khan of a potential EVP hire.
Pederson is a great piece to the puzzle. But it’s nice to know the puzzle is also still under construction.
(You can email Hays at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @HaysCarlyon).
