5 Observations From Trent Baalke's and Doug Pederson's Combine Comments

The Jacksonville Jaguars' brain trust took the podium at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday, with general manager Trent Baalke and head coach Doug Pederson both holding court and dissecting the 2023 season and 2024 offseason. 

So, what were our biggest takeaways when listening to the Jaguars' primary decision-makers? We break it down below.

Cornerback is a massive need 

We have been banging the drum about the Jaguars' need to add at cornerback since the 2023 season ended for a reason. The Jaguars have two starting quality corners on their entire roster -- both of whom are entering contract years -- one semi-proven backup in Montaric Brown, only two corners who are under contract in 2025, and no nickel cornerback on the roster. 

And just a few weeks after new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen preached about the need for strong secondary play behind Josh Allen and Travon Walker, general manager Trent Baalke made the same clear on Tuesday. 

"It's a good question, who is gonna be the third [cornerback]. We've got to add to that group," Baalke said. "I think coach Nielsen spoke on it, coach Pederson's probably spoke on it, now I', speaking on it. It's a group that we need to address."

"We feel good about the group that we have, we feel like we have some good, young guys to work with, we’ve got some veterans in there, but we’re definitely going to look to add to that group.”

Baalke went on to compliment the strength of this year's cornerback class, noting that there is talent both at the top and throughout the draft. Look for this to be the favorite to be the selection at No. 17.

Doug Pederson might take play-calling over

Doug Pederson turned over full-time play-calling duties over to offensive coordinator Press Taylor last season, but it doesn't seem like it is a sure thing that he will repeat this in 2024. He might, because he truly does believe in Taylor and spoke highly of him on Tuesday. But he also might simply do it himself again, in large part because that is where he is the most valuable.

"I think those are things that I need to, you know, consider this offseason and this spring. You know, there were things out of my control that I had to deal with more, you know, the last year that takes you away from some of that stuff," Pederson said. "And not gonna get into those but you know, so yeah, it's something that I have to, as part of the evaluation process, I have to evaluate, you know, myself and Press as decision-makers and play callers and see what's best for our team."

Pederson would go on to say that the conversations around play-calling are on-going and haven't been decided yet, but the fact that he has to consider the possibility after Taylor's first year as coordinator means that there is a good chance it happens. 

What thinks took Pederson away from play-calling last year? Maybe it was him being more involved in the defense. Pederson noted that he hopes Nielsen can more or less take over the entire defense and allow him to focus on the offense, which is something that it doesn't seem like happened last year.

Cam Robinson has a good chance to return 

Both Trent Baalke and Doug Pederson said they expected Cam Robinson to return in 2024, which is fairly significant. Perhaps this was just podium talk, but Baalke has always been high on Robinson and it seems like Pederson's opinion of his veteran left tackle isn't any different. 

"I hope so, you know, as an organization. I mean, he's under contract and I just think that you know, Cam brings an edge. Cam brings some physicality, you know, to the offensive line," Pederson said. 

"He has to -- he's like Trevor -- he understands that hey, his role is to help this team win and can't put the team, can't put the players, can't put us in situations that he did last year. Now the injury is out of anybody's control but talking about the suspension, right, and and it's about being a pro. And listen, these are conversations that Cam, we know, he's had and we've had, you know. I definitely like having him on the team. He's fun to be around, brings a lot of energy out there and it makes us better." 

The biggest question mark around whether Robinson would return revolved around the fact the Jaguars would save over $16 million if he was waived, but that doesn't seem to matter much to the Jaguars. 

Trent Baalke wants a lot of guys back 

Trent Baalke didn't talk like a general manager who wants to make a ton of changes this offseason. Josh Allen? He wants him back. Cam Robinson? He expects him to be back. Calvin Ridley? He met with him recently. Ezra Cleveland? He wants him back and is meeting with his agents this week. The young players due for extensions like Trevor Lawrence, Tyson Campbell, and Andre Cisco? Extension talks will be on the table. 

In short, it doesn't seem like Baalke thinks this is a roster that needs to be blown up or has a ton of glaring holes. He is right in some respects, but maybe not to the extent that he seemed to exude on Tuesday. Baalke talked like a general manager who thinks a few tweaks here or there are needed, not like one who thinks his team is going to look different. 

Don't expect Jaguars to be big spenders in free agency

This pertains to the last point, but it sure doesn't feel like the Jaguars are going to spend a lot in March. Baalke said the Jaguars had a lot of different balls already in the air between re-signings and extensions, and he noted the increased salary cap space doesn't change anything for them and their offseason. 

I would expect the Jaguars to bring in some veteran competition in the trenches and at corner, but don't look for the Jaguars to be one of the top spenders in free agency like they were in 2021 or 2022. The Jaguars feel good about their cap space, but it sure seems like a lot of it is earmarked for their own guys.