Jaguars 'respectfully separate' from general manager Trent Baalke as other teams fill similar roles

"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 wrote in a statement.

Baalke joined the Jags in 2020 as their director of player personnel but was quickly promoted to general manager the following year. His first selection in the draft was Lawrence.

Jacksonville went 25-43 in his tenure.

The separation comes after the Titans and Raiders hired new general managers.

Reports say that, after the Jags fired Doug Pederson, potential head coaching candidates did not want to work under Baalke. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson chose the Bears, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn went with the Jets and Bucs OC Liam Coen decided to return to Tampa Bay instead of going to Jacksonville.

Jacksonville holds the fifth selection in the NFL Draft.