NFL insider outlines environment of ‘pure shock’ over Jaguars’ Black Monday decision

With Week 18 of football officially done and dusted, there is little matter of escaping unscathed through the dreaded Black Monday. The Monday that follows the end of the regular season marks the first day of the offseason for 18 teams that miss the playoffs.

Black Monday 2025's first victim was Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson, who was officially let go this morning.

"Doug is an accomplished football man who will undoubtedly enjoy another chapter in his impressive NFL career, and I will be rooting for Doug and his wife Jeannie when that occasion arrives," team owner Shad Khan said in a statement.

"As much as Doug and I both wish his experience here in Jacksonville would have ended better, I have an obligation first and foremost to serve the best interests of our team and especially our fans, who faithfully support our team and are overdue to be rewarded. In that spirit, the time to summon new leadership is now."

Pederson being fired did not come as much of a shock to the NFL world. However, several executives in league circles were perplexed by Khan's decision to retain the services of general manager Trent Baalke. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported in the aftermath of Pederson's firing:

"There is pure shock around NFL circles that the #Jaguars opted to keep GM Trent Baalke.

Schultz reported that some of the reactions to describe Baalke being retained were: "Unreal." "Makes no sense.” “What has he done to survive two head coaches?” “The job is not as coveted with Trent there.”

"And much more. Many NFL people stunned," Schultz added.

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Exploring Trent Baalke's record as Jaguars GM

The Jaguars hired Baalke as full-time GM in 2021. Since then, the Jaguars have been 25-43. They had two consecutive nine-win seasons prior to this one.

However, Baalke's decision to hire Urban Meyer would qualify as arguably the biggest mistake of his stint as Jags GM. Following Meyer's disastrous stint as NFL head coach, Baalke turned to Super Bowl winner Doug Pederson.

The Jags finished this season with four wins with rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. being the lone bright spot in a season that ended with Trevor Lawrence suffering a major injury.

The Jaguars will have the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft with a dire need at cornerback, giving Baalke one more shot at putting a decent team around his franchise quarterback.