The Jacksonville Jaguars have officially appointed James Gladstone, an executive from the Los Angeles Rams, as their new general manager, establishing a significant partnership with head coach Liam Coen. The announcement of his hiring took place on Friday, marking a new chapter for the franchise.
At just 34 years old, Gladstone brings a wealth of experience from his previous role as the director of scouting strategy with the Rams, a position he has held since 2019. His tenure with the Rams dates back to 2016, where he established himself as an essential figure within the team’s scouting department, collaborating closely with general manager Les Snead throughout the draft process. Notably, Andrew Berry of the Cleveland Browns claimed the record for being the youngest GM in NFL history at 32 years old, after his appointment in 2020.
During his time with the Rams, Gladstone and Coen shared four years (2018-2020, 2022) that allowed them to develop a strong working relationship under the guidance of coach Sean McVay and Snead. Now in Jacksonville, Gladstone joins a team that is under new management, with a roster that has faced significant challenges recently, having lost 18 out of its last 23 games.
The Jaguars are in the midst of a major overhaul, having already appointed several first-time leaders, including Coen as head coach, Grant Udinski as offensive coordinator, Anthony Campanile as defensive coordinator, and Tony Boselli as executive vice president.
Shad Khan, the owner of the Jaguars, expressed his confidence in Gladstone, stating, “James emerged as my choice, and our choice, following a painstaking but energizing interview process that left nothing to doubt.” Khan highlighted Gladstone’s exceptional qualities, such as vision, innovation, and a profound understanding of the league. He believes Gladstone will make an immediate impact on the Jaguars.
Gladstone was chosen over four other finalists for the position, which included Ian Cunningham from the Chicago Bears, Jon-Eric Sullivan from the Green Bay Packers, Josh Williams from the San Francisco 49ers, and the Jaguars’ own assistant GM, Ethan Waugh. Following the departure of Trent Baalke, who stepped down on January 22, Waugh had taken on the interim general manager role.
As he steps into this leadership position, Gladstone will work within a coach-centric framework. He inherits a roster that possesses enough skill to compete in the AFC South, though it will require significant attention and effort to address various gaps in the lineup in the forthcoming months.
Gladstone’s formal introduction is set for Monday at the team facility, where he will then head to the NFL combine in Indianapolis to begin strategizing for the upcoming draft. The Jaguars hold the fifth overall pick in April’s draft, along with an additional nine picks over a three-day period to bolster their roster.
