In an unexpected turn of events, the NFL community is expressing surprise at the decisions made by the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants to retain their respective general managers, Trent Baalke and Joe Schoen. Reports from The Athletic indicate that reactions around the league are described as 'WILD', highlighting a notable disconnect between team performances and managerial stability. Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz also noted a chorus of astonished messages regarding Baalke's continued tenure, underscoring the shock felt by many within the NFL following the Jaguars' disappointing season.

Responses regarding Baalke's retention have ranged from disbelief to confusion, with sentiments such as 'Unreal' and 'Makes no sense' being echoed. Critics are questioning what Baalke has accomplished to survive two head coach changes, and some insiders noted that the Jaguars' job has lost its appeal with Baalke still at the helm. While the Giants had announced earlier this week that Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll would be returning for the next season, the Jaguars' decision to fire head coach Doug Pederson raised concerns about Baalke’s future. Jaguars owner Shad Khan stated his intention to 'collaborate' with Baalke in the search for a new head coach following Pederson's dismissal.

The Giants' decision to retain Schoen, despite frustrations from fans seeking immediate changes, appears to align with a long-term vision set forth by team owner John Mara, who indicated previously that he did not foresee the need for a coaching change. The organization has historically moved quickly in such situations, evidenced by the dismissals of previous head coaches such as Ben McAdoo, Joe Judge, and Pat Shurmur, all of whom were let go within two seasons. Baalke’s position with the Jaguars remains particularly surprising given Khan's earlier declarations of expectations for the team to be contenders in 2024, following remarks about the quality of talent assembled in Jacksonville. However, the Jaguars concluded the season with a 4-13 record, raising significant questions about the decisions made by the front office. Despite Trevor Lawrence's injury setbacks during the season, the team's overall performance was dismal, exhibiting only two winning seasons and one playoff appearance in Baalke's four years as general manager.