Jaguars dismiss GM Trent Baalke

The Jacksonville Jaguars and general manager Trent Baalke are parting ways.

"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," owner Shad Khan said in a statement.

Assistant general manager Ethan Waugh will serve as interim GM as the team continues to search for a head coach to replace Doug Pederson, who was fired Jan. 6. Baalke's job had then appeared safe as he and other team executives were tasked with finding a new head coach.

Baalke joined the team as director of player personnel ahead of the 2020 season. He was later promoted to assistant general manager and held the full title from 2021-24.

Chicago's new head coach Ben Johnson, who the Bears hired Tuesday, believed the Jaguars' setup wasn't what he wanted as a first-time bench boss, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

Jacksonville has also interviewed Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who will reportedly become the next head coach of the New York Jets, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who reportedly withdrew from consideration for the Jaguars' coaching vacancy.

Former Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham are scheduled for second interviews with the Jaguars this week.