By Solomon 
The Jacksonville Jaguars have locked in a big front-office move, bringing in James Gladstone from the Los Angeles Rams as their new general manager. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, this decision came after an extensive search that included multiple candidates, including San Francisco 49ers’ director of scouting and football operations, Josh Williams. Williams made it to the final five but ultimately didn’t land the job, meaning he’ll be sticking with the 49ers for now.
49ers Keep a Key Player in Their Front Office
While Williams missing out on the Jaguars’ job means he won’t be leading a team just yet, it’s actually good news for San Francisco. He’s been with the 49ers since 2011, working his way up from a scouting assistant to a key decision-maker in their scouting department. His ability to evaluate talent has been a huge part of the team’s success, and keeping him around ensures continuity as they prepare for the next season.
Williams is also seen as a potential successor to 49ers GM John Lynch, so holding onto him gives the team some stability for the future. It’s a win for San Francisco’s front office, even if it wasn’t the outcome Williams was hoping for.
A Missed Opportunity for Extra Draft Picks
However, there’s a downside for the 49ers. If Jacksonville had hired Williams, San Francisco would have received two compensatory third-round draft picks in 2025 and 2026, thanks to the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which rewards teams for developing minority candidates who get hired for top positions elsewhere.
The 49ers have benefited from this policy before, picking up extra draft capital when executives like Martin Mayhew and Ran Carthon, as well as defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, took on bigger roles with other teams. Missing out on those extra picks means San Francisco will have to rely on its existing draft strategy without that added boost.
Eyes on the NFL Scouting Combine
With the GM decision settled, the focus now shifts to next week’s NFL Scouting Combine. Lynch, Williams, and the rest of the 49ers’ scouting team will be locked in on evaluating potential draft picks as they gear up for the NFL Draft in April.
As for Williams, his stock as a future GM candidate remains high. His ability to identify and develop talent makes him a name to watch for future job openings. For now, though, he stays in San Francisco, helping the 49ers build for another competitive season.