David Pederson knows it may be about to come out in Jacksonville, where the Jaguars are 2-9 after suffering a fourth straight loss on Sunday. However, the team’s maligned general manager Trent Baalke could be retained beyond the 2024 season as part of a move for legendary coach Bill Belichick, according to NBC Sports.
Some around the NFL believe Baalke’s history with Belichick, who shared an employer with the New York Jets in 1998-99, will influence the Jaguars’ decision regarding their general manager, Mike Florio reported Sunday. Not only that, but Jacksonville could view Baalke as “part of a package” with Belichick, who spent this season without a coaching job after 24 seasons with the New England Patriots.
Baalke worked as a scout for the Jets from 1998 to 2000, while Belichick served as the team’s assistant head coach and defensive coordinator from 1997 to 1999, meaning the two overlapped for two years. Belichick was infamously introduced as the Jets’ new head coach in 2000, only to resign and accept the same job with the Patriots before the start of the season. After that, he and Baalke never crossed paths professionally.
Baalke has been the Jaguars’ general manager since 2021, when the team used the No. 1 overall draft pick on quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Jacksonville has gone just 23-39 during his tenure, missing the playoffs in both 2021 and 2023. Prior to his career with the Jags, which began with a stint as director of player personnel, Baalke spent six seasons as San Francisco 49ers player. general manager, from 2011 to 2016.
