JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Victor from Troy, NY

With Jaguars General Manager Trent Baalke staying, the team probably isn't the most enticing option available for a new head coach. So, without Johnson, Vrabel, Coen or O'Connell as options, who do you think the Jags might target for an interview?

The Jaguars on Tuesday requested head-coaching interviews with Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and former New York Jets Head Coach Robert Saleh – and reportedly Tennessee Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel. There's little question that observers believe some head coaches won't work with Baalke. This is a narrative that has taken hold to an odd degree. The guess here is that narrative is vastly overblown and that the Jaguars will have little issue finding a quality head coach. We'll see.

Mike from Pensacola, FL

O, I watched with interest Monday's press conference with Jaguars Owner Shad Khan and Baalke. In my estimation, 90 percent of Shad's answers were spinned, and the last 10 percent were pure mumbo jumbo. I think the most important statement was a non-statement. As far I could tell, Shad never once endorsed or expressed confidence in Trent. Your observations?

I didn't get the idea Khan was spinning anything. He spent Monday's videoconference explaining why he dismissed Doug Pederson as head coach and how he will approach finding a replacement. He also spoke about why he retained Baalke as general manager. As for Khan not endorsing or expressing confidence in Baalke, Khan retained Baalke as general manager. I don't know how much more confidence or how much bigger an endorsement is needed.

Chris from Norfolk

You have templates for all this by now, right?

I smiled at this.

DMiz from Jax

Per Baalke… "It's going to take as long as it takes to identify the right individual. Is that one interview? Is that two interviews? We're going to do our due diligence and be very thorough in this process." HUH? If it takes one or two interviews, that's thorough? Sounds like a child in a candy store grabbing the first thing available. I think Baalke is just as (or more) responsible than Pederson and I'm actually a bit surprised Khan is retaining Baalke at this point. Maybe next year's team will be the best we've ever had (again). Ugggh this is going to be a long offseason.

Two interviews are pretty much the norm for hiring an NFL head coach. Life comes at you fast in professional football.

John from Ramsey, NJ

Good grief!! I can understand the fans wanting to clean house. I can see having to let Doug go. I'm assuming when you chop off the head of the snake, the offensive and defensive coordinator go with it. I don't see where this team has been so wronged by Trent Baalke. We have some excellent talent on this team – running back Tank Bigsby, wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., wide receiver Parker Washington. We can't blame Baalke for bringing in bad talent. We have good talent. They are just not playing to their potential. I believe it's up to the coaches to bring out the best from their players. I also believe that a quarterback can make those around him better. Let's focus on getting better coaching in here and work on quarterback Trevor Lawrence to get him more comfortable and assertive in the pocket. I guess you can say my glass is half full.

One fer perspective – and one fer Baalke.

Anita from Springfield

Watching Shad's conference. Ignore him trying to not badmouth folks, it's clear he gets it. He sees the talent, and sees how the culture (while good to establish a better base than we had) needs to improve through coaching. I'm stoked for the future, if tepid in my thoughts on Trent's most recent FA class (though many feel like guys for defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen's failed experiment). One fer hoping the new structure and regime succeeds! Also, one fer Tony Boselli as the "right person" for football EVP...

One fer Baalke.

Roland from Jacksonville

Mr. Trent should have been fired not head coach.

One not fer Mr. Trent.

JY from Palm Coast

Read your "starting anew" article and I have to be honest John. At this point, It all feels gross. Reading Baalke words just makes it all feel hollow and for naught I cannot believe he is retained to make another decision. Nothing feels "anew" as long as he is the man making the decisions. Never felt as disgusted as I do now being a Jags fan. Zero excitement. Zero belief. Zero hope.

This is an understandable feeling considering the results this past season. Judging from O-Zone emails, it's a prevalent feeling. This franchise this season earned its way to that feeling and retaining Baalke was a sure way to ensure many fans retained that feeling. That was a reality and Khan made that decision knowing that reality. The other reality is that winning changes that feeling. It's up to Baalke and whoever is hired as head coach to win enough to change that feeling. Roll up the sleeves and get to work.

Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ

Between quarterback Trevor Lawrence and defensive end Josh Hines-Allen not playing Sunday in the 2024 regular season, that's $74 million paid this year and not contributing.

Why, yes it was.

Sascha from Cologne

Hey John, is Mr. Khan really serious?? Retaining Baalke?? Another wasted draft with mid-to-late-round picks incoming. One definitely not for Baalke.

The Jaguars haven't drafted poorly in the last four offseasons. It is true that the Jaguars need more high-end, play-making players who make big plays at big moments, but it's not true that the recent drafts have been wastes.

Mark from High Springs

I didn't know where else to say this, but I just cancelled my season tickets. Since 2022, my son and I have not missed a game, driving two hours there and another two back. We've been baked in the sun, rained on and frozen for this team. We've even collected game days pins for every match, and watched our playoff loss to KC in Daily's Place. Mr. Khan's statement Monday was just too much. Yesterday, I was reading reports that Ben Johnson was ready to come here with Mark Brunell and rejuvenate our organization, but that was contingent on "an owner who is willing to honestly identify his/her team's weaknesses and address them." Not only has Mr. Khan violated this term, but his statement today shows he hasn't even begun looking for Pederson's replacement. It's not a secret that Trent Baalke has a pariah status in the NFL, and that several top head coach candidates have seen his involvement as a nonstarter. Frankly, I'm not sure I would trust a head coach willing to work with him considering his track record. I want to be respectful of Mr. Khan, because I do believe he's done what no other NFL owner would or could do, and that's keep the Jaguars in Jacksonville. However, it seems apparent that he has little knowledge on how the NFL works, and unfortunately is easily manipulated by those who would take advantage of his loyalty and good faith. You've been kind to me in the past and have published several of my posts, and I understand why you would not be willing or able to post this one. I'd just like to know it was received by a member of the organization. In all we've been through for this team, I've never felt as disappointed by its leadership as I am right now.

OK.

Alex from Jacksonville

Seems all of Jacksonville is digesting Shad Khan retaining Trent Baalke to continue as general manager with a new reporting structure and delineation of roles from what's being reported. While it's certainly discouraging for the fan base considering he has built a flawed roster and missed on a lot of free agent signings and a reputation of undermining his coaches, even going back to San Francisco. What are your thoughts on the organizational changes?

The head coach and Baalke will both report directly to Khan, which is the same reporting structure as was the case with Baalke and Pederson. Khan on Monday said hiring a person in the role of executive vice president of football operations – Tom Coughlin's role from 2017-2019 – remained possible.

Scott from Jax in DelaNoWhere

So, what type of head coach would you like to see come in and establish a new winning culture, O-man?

One who players believe in and trust – and one who can set the tone for the organization. That's paramount. And one who can get the most from Lawrence. That's paramount, too. The details of whether the coach has an offensive or defensive background is secondary. I supposed I'd like a football genius whose very presence guarantees success. I hear a lot about those in every coaching cycle. I see a lot of them show up in later coaching cycles, too.

Gary from St. Augustine, FL

Even when the Jaguars fire the coach, you still suck.

There it is.