Tom Coughlin Releases Statement on Jalen Ramsey Trade

The morning after the Jacksonville Jaguars made a blockbuster trade to send disgruntled All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for first-round draft picks in 2020 and 2021, and a fourth-round pick in 2021, the man in charge of the Jaguars personnel decisions has spoken out.

"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," Jaguars executive vice president of football operations Tom Coughlin said in a statement released by the team Wednesday.

"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 also released a statement on Wednesday.

"The Jacksonville Jaguars are doing just fine today. 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," he said.

"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."

The trade came a month after Ramsey requested to be moved from the team following a Week 2 loss to the Houston Texans. Ramsey played in the team's Week 3 win against the Tennessee Titans but he was inactive the following three games with a back injury.

Ramsey and Coughlin had a shaky public relationship dating back to April when Coughlin, speaking at the team's annual state-of-the-franchise presentation, called out Ramsey and former Jacksonville linebacker Telvin Smith for not being present at the team's voluntary workouts.

Ramsey and his agent, David Mulugheta, publicly defended not being at workouts.

“Fully aware” & “voluntary” meaning I don’t HAVE to be there BUT they know the EXACT REASONS I am not. My teammates know it’s ALL love & know I’ll be ready when it’s time! 💯 https://t.co/NASgnu6egT
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) April 19, 2019

A few hours prior to the game against the Titans on Thursday Night Football, The Uninterrupted "17 Weeks Podcast" released an episode where Ramsey went on record to say his trade request was due to a fractured relationship with Jacksonville's front office.

On the podcast, Ramsey said it was a conversation with a member of Jaguars management after the Houston loss that finally forced him to formally ask for a trade.

"Some disrespectful things were said on their end that made me definitely walk out and call my agent as soon as I walked out and I told him, I said, 'It's time; my time is up here in Jacksonville. I want to ask for a trade," Ramsey said on the podcast.

As a result of the Ramsey trade, the Jaguars now have four first-round picks over the next two drafts and 18 draft picks in total.