The longer Trent Baalke remains as the Jaguars’ de facto general manager, the more I understand why.
Is there any doubt the Jaguars new coach, Doug Pederson, insisted during the interview process that he have complete control of all things personnel — from which free agents to sign to who to draft to who to cut? Otherwise, he was happy to work with Baalke.
Maybe that’s why it was more than a month — and nine other coaching candidates — between interviews with Pederson before Owner Shad Khan gave him the job. In doing so, Khan realized he couldn’t lure a proven NFL general manager to Jacksonville under such circumstances. Might as well keep Baalke and let him run the football administrative side of things. Sort of a glorified office manager.
Pederson takes on more authority than any Jaguars coach since Tom Coughlin. That dual role for coaches wore out its welcome. I should say it wore out a lot of coaches.
I don’t doubt Pederson will seek Baalke’s advice on personnel, but when it’s time to call the shots it will be Pederson pulling the trigger.
