Apparently unable to reach agreement on a contract he felt was equitable, Baltimore Ravens college scouting director Phil Savage unexpectedly took himself out of the running on Saturday for the Jacksonville Jaguars general manager position, ESPN.com confirmed.

The move was a stunning one, since Savage was in Jacksonville on Friday to witness the introduction of Jack Del Rio as the Jaguars' new head coach, and the plans were for a second news conference on Saturday to introduce him as the new general manager.

In fact, Savage strongly recommended Del Rio for the coaching job, the two having worked together with the Ravens, and Jacksonville officials felt that the tandem would be a smooth-running one because of the relationship.

Owner Wayne Weaver had interviewed at least three other candidates for the high-level executive position -- current Jacksonville personnel director Rick Reiprish, Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Tom Modrak, and Ravens pro personnel director James Harris -- and one league source said Saturday night the process will be revisited and expanded now.

Savage, 37, is regarded as one of the best talent evaluators in the league and is credited for the Ravens' strong draft classes of recent years.

He arrived in Jacksonville for a second interview on Friday, and the session was viewed as little more than a formality, since Weaver had broadly hinted Savage would land the job. The plan was to introduce him to Jacksonville media on Saturday morning, but that fell through, and then Savage departed the city later in the day without comment.

The Seattle Seahawks last week were also granted permission to interview Savage for their general manager position. That vacancy was created when coach Mike Holmgren relinquished the general manager title.

Two candidates, former Minnesota Vikings head coach Dennis Green and University of Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, pulled out of the Jacksonville search for a head coach. Two other potential candidates, former 49ers coach Steve Mariucci and University of Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, declined to interview for the job.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.