James

Gladstone

Garafolo specifically links Kupp to the Jaguars, whose new head coach, Liam Coen, and general manager, James Gladstone, both spent time working with the Rams during Kupp’s tenure there. Multiple teams are undoubtedly pursuing Kupp though, and Garafolo indicated that a new deal could come this evening.

Gladstone was one of several candidates to replace Trent Baalke, but the Jaguars finally were able to come a decision Friday. Gladstone has been with the Rams for the last eight seasons — the last four as a director of scouting strategy — and is widely respected around the industry. It’s been proven time and again that if you need to go outside your org to make a hire, the Rams are the best place to start. 34-year-old Gladstone inherits a Jacksonville roster that is not bereft of talent, but needs a quality offseason or two to become a true competitor in the AFC.

Gladstone is one of five finalists for the Jags’ general manager vacancy. He previously participated in a virtual interview and is in Jacksonville for his second interview with the team. Gladstone has been with the Rams for eight seasons and has held his current title for four. Though the Rams haven’t always had the most resources during the draft, Gladstone’s department hit it out of the park this time around, nabbing a pair of standout defensive linemen in eventual DROY Jared Verse and Braden Fiske with their first two picks. He has worked closely with Rams GM Les Snead and is well on his way to a general manager job of his own at this pace.

According to Walters, those candidates include Josh Williams and James Gladstone, who are directors of scouting for the 49ers and Rams, respectively. Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham is also a finalist, as is Packers’ VP of player personnel, Jon-Eric Sullivan. Perhaps the most interesting finalist on this list is Jaguars interim GM Ethan Waugh, who has familiarity with those in the building but also worked closely with former GM Trent Baalke, whose firing appeared to have a direct impact on head coach Liam Coen’s willingness to join the team. Walters reports the Jaguars are expected to make a decision on GM by the end of the week.

Gladstone has spent eight seasons with the Rams and is in his fourth year as the team’s Director of Scouting Strategy, according to the team site. To date, Gladstone’s only job in the NFL has been with the Rams, who hired him in 2017 after he previously worked in education administration at Clayton High School. He has worked closely with GM Les Snead in recent years and will now have a chance to join a Jaguars staff that has been completely revamped this offseason.