Jaguars Appoint James Gladstone as General Manager
On Friday, the Jacksonville Jaguars filled their final general manager vacancy of the offseason by hiring James Gladstone. This appointment comes nearly a month after the team relieved former GM Trent Baalke of his duties.
Background on Gladstone
Gladstone, aged 34, emerged as the youngest of five finalists for the Jaguars’ GM position. He joins the team after a nine-year tenure with the Los Angeles Rams.
Initially joining the Rams in 2016 as a senior assistant to general manager Les Snead, Gladstone most recently served as Director of Scouting Strategy in Los Angeles.
Relationship with Jaguars’ New Head Coach
Gladstone has a pre-existing working relationship with Jaguars’ new head coach, Liam Coen. Coen served as an assistant offensive coach with the Rams from 2018 to 2020 and as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2022.
Jaguars’ Owner’s Statement
Jaguars owner Shad Khan expressed his satisfaction with Gladstone’s appointment in a statement:
"James emerged as my choice, and our choice, following a painstaking but energizing interview process that left nothing to doubt. In the end, we found James to be a class ahead and exceptional in every regard – vision, new ideas, communication, chemistry, and a keen understanding of the league and our team, to name a few of many virtues he will bring immediately to the Jaguars."
Khan emphasized the anticipated synergy between Gladstone and the team’s other key personnel:
"It’s going to be fun watching James work with our football leadership team of Liam Coen, (executive vice president of football operations) Tony Boselli, and (chief football strategy officer) Tony Khan, but most of all it will be rewarding. I am confident of that."
Gladstone’s Past Successes
Gladstone was instrumental in the Rams’ front office that assembled the roster that won Super Bowl 56 in 2022. A significant move in this roster construction was the blockbuster trade for quarterback Matthew Stafford in March 2021.
Under Gladstone’s Rams tenure, Los Angeles also drafted wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, who quickly became prominent figures in the Rams’ offense.
Responsibilities at the Jaguars
Gladstone’s primary task at the Jaguars will be to work alongside Coen to elevate the team back into playoff contention after a disappointing 4-13 record in 2024.
A key focus for the new GM will be building a roster around former No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence, who is entering his fifth season in 2025 and signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension last summer.
Conclusion
The appointment of James Gladstone as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ new general manager brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective. Gladstone’s familiarity with the team’s head coach, combined with his proven track record in roster construction, bodes well for the Jaguars’ future. With a strong team leadership in place, the Jaguars look poised to make significant strides under Gladstone’s guidance.
