Jacksonville Jaguars legend Maurice Jones-Drew is most certainly not a fan of Trent Baalke

LOS ANGELES — Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke has more than his share of critics. One of the most prominent? Maurice Jones-Drew, who ranks second on the team’s all-time rushing list after eight excellent years he spent in Jacksonville.

Maurice Jones-Drew suggests he would have fired Jacksonville Jaguars GM Trent Baalke

Speaking here Wednesday as part of NFL Network’s pre-Super Bowl media availability, Jones-Drew couldn’t hide his feelings for Baalke, who not only survived the Urban Meyer debacle, but actually had a role in hiring Meyer’s replacement, Doug Pederson.

When asked by PFN his thoughts on Baalke remaining with the organization after the 2021 embarrassment, Jones-Drew replied:

“To be honest, everywhere he’s been hasn’t been good. When you look at his reputation throughout the league, it ain’t the best. I think a lot of former players have voiced that. But it’s not my team, so there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m not writing the check. If that’s what Shad [Khan] wants to do, that’s what Shad wants to do.

“[Baalke] was part of the Urban hire, part of the strength coach [Chris Doyle] hire as well. That’s not a good look for your organization. When you talk to people from San Francisco, it’s the same thing. Shad sees something different than we all see. But it’s not my team. If it was my team, it would be different. It’s not mine. I think Shad’s earned the right to do what he wants with this team. He bought it. There it is.”

Doyle resigned just one day after the Jags announced he was joining Meyer’s staff. His position became untenable after strong pushback to the hire based on allegations that he used racist language in his previous job.

MJD on new Jaguars coach Doug Pederson

The Jaguars fired Meyer on Dec. 16, three-quarters of the way through his disastrous first season. Other than the Raiders, they had the biggest head-start of the nine teams searching for a new coach this year.

Part of the reason they struggled to fill the job? Khan’s insistence on keeping Baalke in place. Pederson wasn’t their first choice. But he might end up being their best choice, particularly if the former NFL quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator, and head coach can develop Trevor Lawrence.

“I was a little concerned, I guess,” Jones-Drew said. “It was kind of iffy seeing all of those people come and go and not really anyone get hired. Whatever that common thread is, I don’t know. I did feel like Doug Pederson was in my top five of guys I’d like to see on that franchise.

“… Doug Pederson being a guy who’s played and obviously he’s called plays and worked with other people, that’s a huge plus,” he added. “I think now it’s about building guys around [Lawrence], building an offense around him, and finding a way to help get him confident. He has the talent. He has ability. It’s more about being confident and letting it go and being decisive in his reads and throwing the ball.”