The Jacksonville Jaguars have officially appointed James Gladstone as their new general manager, the team announced on Friday. The move marks the beginning of a promising new chapter for the franchise following significant organizational changes.
Gladstone, who is 34 years old, previously served as the director of scouting strategy for the Los Angeles Rams, where he spent nine seasons. "It’s my honor to introduce James Gladstone as the new general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars," said Jaguars owner Shad Khan. "James emerged as my choice, and our choice, following a painstaking but energizing interview process. Every candidate delivered, and I am grateful to them all for their preparation and time spent with us this week in Jacksonville." Khan expressed confidence in Gladstone's ability to lead, asserting, "...in the end, we found James to be exceptional — vision, new ideas, communication, chemistry, and a deep comprehension of the league and our team."
Gladstone's experience with the Rams has been extensive. He was initially hired by the franchise as a senior assistant to the general manager, Les Snead, in 2016. Over the years, he progressed to serve as the director of scouting strategy and was pivotal during the Rams' successful run, which included four NFC West division titles and participation in the postseason six times, capped by a Super Bowl victory following the 2021 season.
The Jaguars turned to Gladstone after mutually parting ways with Trent Baalke, who had been the team's general manager for the last three years. Following Baalke's departure, the Jaguars appointed Liam Coen as their head coach, who worked alongside Gladstone for several seasons at the Rams. This prior relationship is expected to help facilitate smoother operations within the Jaguars' coaching and management structure.
During his interview, Gladstone demonstrated exceptional qualities, according to Khan. "It's going to be fun watching James work with our football leadership team of Liam Coen, Tony Boselli, and Tony Khan," he said. Gladstone receives high praise for his communication and strategic capabilities, positioning him well to lead the franchise forward.
The decision to hire Gladstone culminates weeks of interviews, where the Jaguars considered eleven candidates overall. Gladstone was one of five finalists for the position, alongside interim GM Ethan Waugh and candidates from organizations such as the Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, and Chicago Bears.
With Gladstone stepping on board, he becomes the sixth full-time general manager in Jaguars history, following prominent figures such as Tom Coughlin and Dave Caldwell. This leadership restructuring signifies potential growth amid turbulent times for the organization, which has seen only two winning seasons and one playoff appearance over the last seven years.
The Jaguars concluded the previous season with a 4-13 record, prompting the need for new leadership and strategies to develop the team. Following the hiring of Gladstone, the Jaguars are gearing up for the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine set to take place shortly. This event will be pivotal for the Jaguars as they strategize over their 10 upcoming draft selections, the highest of which is the fifth overall pick for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Gladstone's extensive background includes not just professional scouting but also coaching at the high school level prior to his NFL career. He is noted for his roles as both the media coordinator and football coach at institutions like St. John Vianney High School and Clayton High School, proving his deep-rooted passion for both player development and education.
By establishing himself within the Rams, Gladstone proved instrumental in modernizing their scouting processes, adapting to new evaluation techniques, and establishing successful draft strategies, which culminated recently with the selections of players like AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse. His previous work and established familiarity with Coen bode well for the future of the Jaguars.
Now, the Jaguars look to Gladstone to transform their roster quality and build around their promising young quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, who is contracted through 2030. The pressure is on to reshape the team under Gladstone's leadership as they aim to emerge from the shadows of mediocrity.
With this new appointment, the Jacksonville Jaguars are signaling their intent to take decisive actions to rejuvenate their franchise and create winning conditions. Fans can expect dynamic changes as the team gears up for the future, welcoming their new general manager as they rally behind the organization to build excitement heading toward next season.