The Jacksonville Jaguars have taken a bold step in reinforcing their front office infrastructure by hiring former Denver Broncos general manager George Paton. The decision marks a significant move for a franchise that has been gradually reshaping its identity in recent years under the leadership of head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke. Paton, a seasoned NFL executive with decades of experience evaluating talent and constructing rosters, joins the Jaguars organization in a key advisory and personnel role, signaling the team’s commitment to long-term success and operational stability.
Paton’s arrival in Jacksonville comes after a turbulent tenure in Denver, where he served as the Broncos’ general manager from 2021 to early 2024. While his time with the Broncos was a mixed bag, his résumé remains deeply respected around the league. Known for his meticulous approach to scouting and team building, Paton was credited with some strong draft classes and key acquisitions that helped bolster Denver’s roster, even amid the team’s quarterback instability. His exit from Denver wasn’t entirely performance-based but rather the result of sweeping organizational changes following new ownership’s desire to chart a different course.
For Jacksonville, the addition of Paton brings an experienced voice into the fold as the team looks to capitalize on its young core and growing potential. While Trent Baalke retains the general manager title, sources around the league suggest that Paton’s role will be significant in shaping the franchise’s scouting operations, free-agent strategy, and overall roster construction. He will serve as a senior personnel executive, with input across both college and pro scouting, and work closely with Baalke and Pederson to execute a unified vision.
The Jaguars have quietly transformed into one of the most intriguing young teams in the league. With Trevor Lawrence entering the prime stage of his development and a strong cast of contributors including Josh Allen, Travis Etienne, Devin Lloyd, and Christian Kirk, Jacksonville has positioned itself as a contender in the AFC South. However, last season’s second-half collapse left a bitter taste, raising questions about depth, consistency, and the ability to win big games down the stretch. The hiring of Paton may be viewed as an organizational response to those concerns, infusing the front office with another sharp mind capable of challenging ideas and refining strategy.
Paton’s NFL journey began long before his Denver stint. A UCLA product and former college safety, he entered the NFL executive ranks in the late 1990s with the Chicago Bears. Over the years, he served in key roles with the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings, working under respected leaders such as Rick Spielman. Paton developed a reputation as one of the league’s most detail-oriented personnel men, often praised for his extensive film study and ability to uncover value in mid- to late-round draft picks.
In Minnesota, Paton played a major role in shaping rosters that consistently competed in the NFC North, helping to draft foundational players like Harrison Smith, Stefon Diggs, Danielle Hunter, and Dalvin Cook. His success with the Vikings made him a popular candidate for general manager vacancies for several years before finally accepting the Broncos’ job in 2021. In Denver, Paton’s early moves generated buzz—he traded for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, drafted cornerback Pat Surtain II, and overhauled the roster’s depth with a focus on youth and competition.
However, it was Paton’s blockbuster trade for Russell Wilson in 2022 that would ultimately define his tenure—fairly or not. The move, initially hailed as a potential franchise-changer, quickly backfired as Wilson struggled mightily in his first season under head coach Nathaniel Hackett. The Broncos’ offense sputtered, Hackett was fired after just one year, and the team’s performance fell short of expectations. Though Wilson rebounded somewhat under Sean Payton in 2023, the damage was already done. With new ownership in place and sweeping changes on the horizon, Paton was let go in early 2024 as part of a front office shakeup.
Now in Jacksonville, Paton gets a fresh start in a new role—one that plays to his strengths without the high-stakes burden of being the face of a franchise’s football decisions. Instead, he joins an established structure where his insights can enhance the work already being done. League insiders view this as a strategic hire by the Jaguars, who are seeking to elevate their personnel operation without disrupting existing hierarchies.
Privately, those close to the situation say Paton was intrigued by the opportunity to join a team with an upward trajectory and a young franchise quarterback in place. After dealing with quarterback instability for most of his time in Denver, the idea of supporting Trevor Lawrence’s development from the front office likely appealed to Paton. Moreover, working under a veteran coach like Doug Pederson, a Super Bowl winner with strong locker-room leadership, adds another layer of organizational stability that Paton may have lacked during his time in Denver.
From the Jaguars’ perspective, this hire signals a willingness to evolve and diversify their football leadership. While Baalke has drawn his share of criticism in the past, particularly from fans, he has overseen meaningful progress in Jacksonville. His work in drafting players like Travon Walker and signing free agents such as Foyesade Oluokun has helped stabilize the roster. Adding Paton to the mix does not indicate a lack of faith in Baalke, but rather an understanding that successful franchises often benefit from a collaborative front office. The move echoes what several other teams have done in recent years—bolstering personnel departments with multiple veteran evaluators to ensure a wide range of perspectives.
This model of shared leadership is becoming more common in the NFL, particularly as the demands of roster management grow more complex in the age of the salary cap, player empowerment, and the rise of analytics. Having more seasoned voices in the room can help mitigate risk, refine draft boards, and strengthen internal debate ahead of key decisions. For the Jaguars, who have tasted playoff success but are still seeking consistency, every marginal edge matters. Paton’s presence should sharpen internal processes and help the franchise make more informed choices moving forward.
The timing of the hire is also noteworthy. With the NFL Draft recently completed and teams shifting into offseason evaluations, minicamps, and free-agent workouts, Jacksonville is looking to get ahead of the curve. Paton’s experience in managing full scouting departments means he can contribute immediately—reviewing tape on undrafted free agents, suggesting veteran signings, or preparing for the 2025 draft class. His network across the league, including long-standing relationships with scouts and agents, further enhances the Jaguars’ ability to identify talent.
It remains to be seen how visible Paton’s role will be to the public, but within NFL circles, his reputation speaks volumes. Even amid the Wilson trade debacle, many respected voices across the league continued to praise Paton’s eye for talent and his methodical approach. Not every general manager gets a second chance, but Paton’s reentry into the league so soon after his Denver departure is a testament to his standing in league offices.
As for the Jaguars, they now face the challenge of turning potential into performance. Expectations are higher than ever in Jacksonville, especially after their 2022 playoff win and Trevor Lawrence’s rapid rise. The AFC is crowded with contenders, and Jacksonville must prove it can compete with the likes of Kansas City, Buffalo, Baltimore, and Cincinnati. To do that, they’ll need more than just top-end talent—they’ll need depth, resilience, and strong leadership at all levels.
That’s where Paton’s influence could prove most valuable. In a sport where the margin between winning and losing is often razor-thin, experience matters. Paton has been through the ups and downs of NFL life. He knows what it takes to build a locker room, navigate tough contract negotiations, and uncover diamonds in the rough. If his presence helps the Jaguars avoid even one major misstep or land one undervalued star, the hire will be worth it.
In many ways, this is a low-risk, high-reward move for Jacksonville. They’re not handing over the keys or making a dramatic shift, but rather adding another respected voice to an already competent operation. It reflects a maturity and self-awareness that not all franchises possess—an understanding that success in today’s NFL is rarely the result of one man’s vision, but rather the product of collaboration, foresight, and tireless work.
George Paton, now officially a member of the Jaguars’ brain trust, will go to work quietly and methodically, just as he always has. The decisions he helps influence may not grab headlines at first. But over time, his fingerprints may show up on the very blueprint that turns Jacksonville from a promising team into a perennial power. In a league built on adaptation and growth, the Jaguars just made a move that reflects both.