"Jaguars general manager Gene Smith, whose future in Jacksonville has been the subject of intense speculation during the team's 2-6 start, broke his silence on the issue Wednesday, admitting he declined a contract extension offer from owner Wayne Weaver this past offseason.

Smith, in an exclusive interview with the Times-Union, said he turned it down because he felt uncomfortable adding years to his contract when Jaguars' scouts and other employees were either not getting extensions or subjected to salary freezes. Smith's original contract that he signed after being promoted to GM in January 2009, expires after this season. He did not divulge specifics about the length of the extension offer, adding that the NFL's uncertain labor future at the time also impacted his decision to pass on an extension."