JACKSONVILLE, Fla. _ Jaguars top executive Tom Coughlin said trading disgruntled cornerback Jalen Ramsey was in the best interest of the franchise.
The Jaguars sent Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams Tuesday night in exchange for first-round picks in 2020 and 2021 and a 2021 fourth-round pick. Ramsey wanted out of Jacksonville after making a trade request a month ago.
"Given the situation with Jalen, we made this decision based on what we thought is in the best interest of the Jacksonville Jaguars, for this season and well into the future," Coughlin said in a statement released by the franchise Wednesday morning. "We feel the trade that we struck with the Rams gives us great value for the next two drafts, and we remain very confident that our team today will compete this season for a division title. Jalen was a productive player, but the time came to move on and we wish him and his family the best in Los Angeles."
Jaguars owner Shad Khan initially did not want to trade Ramsey and was willing to extend him a lucrative contract instead. But Ramsey did not rescind his trade request, even after meeting several times with coach Doug Marrone and Khan.
Khan issued a statement Wednesday morning that the Jaguars are doing just fine today following the trade and praised his football operations staff for handling the situation over the past month after Ramsey's made his trade demand.
"I give kudos to our football staff for not only managing this matter extremely well, but giving our team and fans a lot to look forward to in years to come." Khan said in a statement. "Credit also goes to our players for their professional approach throughout this situation. It did not go unnoticed. Now it's time to turn the attention again to what's most important _ the Jacksonville Jaguars
