The 2024-25 Tennessee Titans season was a major disappointment. After an offseason full of new acquisitions and heightened expectations, the Titans went from playoff hopefuls to a 3-14 record and owners of the number one pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. If anything was learned, it was that this team was much further from playoff contention than anyone realized.

Coming into the season, success in 2024 relied on two things: Will Levis’ development and the offensive line’s play. Unfortunately, both failed to meet expectations by a wide margin, but those spots weren’t the team’s only problems. The revolving door at right tackle and constant back-breaking turnovers from the QB oftentimes overshadowed several other key flaws in the roster that also led to the abysmal season. This led to Amy Adams Strunk firing General Manager Ran Carthon on January 7th – just two years removed from being hired to lead the Titans’ “competitive rebuild.”

The reality was that the rebuild wasn’t all that competitive. The Titans finished 9-25 with back-to-back last-place finishes in the AFC South in Carthon’s two years as General Manager. Was that completely his fault? No, but he probably wasn’t blameless either. He inherited a mess from former GM Jon Robinson, but almost any time a team finishes the season with the number one pick, someone is held responsible. 

Now, the Titans are in full rebuild mode. Jeff Simmons and core players from the last two drafts (Latham/Sweat/Skoronski) seem to be the only cornerstone players this team has on the roster right now, but the team is in solid position to build something as they are equipped with the number one overall pick and plenty of cap space this offseason.

Titans Part Ways with General Manager Ran Carthon

On January 7th, the Titans announced that the team was making a change at General Manager after their 3-14 finish in 2024.

STATEMENT FROM AMY ADAMS STRUNK, TENNESSEE TITANS CONTROLLING OWNER

“I’ve loved the time I’ve spent with Ran. He’s a talented football mind, a great man, and friend to everyone along his path.

It’s impossible to ignore that our football team hasn’t improved over the past two years. I am deeply disappointed in our poor win-loss record during this period, of course, but my decision also speaks to my concern about our long-term future should we stay the course.

I love this team more than you can imagine. To our fans: we know this level of performance isn’t acceptable. We’re humbled by your support as we continue to work towards building the team you expect and deserve.”

With Carthon taking the bullet, it now looks like the Titans President of Football Operations, Chad Brinker, will be calling the shots. Brinker will have the final say on football decisions and the new “General Manager” he hires will report to him – a role that is essentially a glorified Assistant General Manager position.

Here are the potential candidates for the open GM position:

Chiefs Assistant General Manger – Mike Borgonzi

Mike Borgonzi serves as the Assistant General Manager for the Kansas City Chiefs, a position he has held since 2021. His journey with the Chiefs began in 2009 when he joined as the College Scouting Administrator. Over the years, Borgonzi has climbed the ranks within the organization, taking on roles such as Manager of Football Operations (2010), Pro Personnel Scout (2011-12), Assistant Director of Pro Scouting (2013-14), Co-Director of Player Personnel (2015-16), Director of Player Personnel (2017), and Director of Football Operations (2018-20). In his current role, he oversees both the college and professional scouting operations and works closely with General Manager Brett Veach on roster management and player acquisition strategies including the NFL Draft, free agency, and trades. Borgonzi has been instrumental in shaping the Chiefs’ roster that has led to multiple Super Bowl participations and victories, showcasing his significant impact on the team’s success.

Colts Assistant General Manager – Ed Dodds

Ed Dodds serves as the Assistant General Manager for the Indianapolis Colts, a position he has held since 2018. His career in the NFL began in 2003 as a scouting intern for the Oakland Raiders. After that, he moved to the Seattle Seahawks in 2007, where he spent 10 years in various roles including pro scout, area scout, national scout, and senior personnel executive. In 2017, Dodds joined the Colts as Vice President of Player Personnel before his promotion to Assistant General Manager.

Dodds has been highly regarded in league circles for his scouting acumen and has been a significant part of the Colts’ front office under General Manager Chris Ballard. He played a key role in the team’s draft strategy and player acquisitions, contributing to the Colts’ roster improvements. Dodds has been interviewed for several general manager vacancies across the NFL, indicating his reputation as a potential future GM.

Bills Director of Player Personnel – Terrance Gray

Terrance Gray serves as the Director of Player Personnel for the Buffalo Bills, a position he has held since 2022. His career in the NFL spans over two decades, beginning with roles in player development and personnel with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2003 to 2005. After his time with the Chiefs, Gray spent 11 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings as a college scout.

In 2017, he joined the Bills under General Manager Brandon Beane, initially as the Director of College Scouting. Gray’s responsibilities and influence within the Bills’ front office grew over the years; he was promoted to Assistant Director of Player Personnel in 2020 before taking on his current role. His work encompasses both college and professional scouting, contributing significantly to the team’s draft preparations and free agency strategies.

Browns Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Football Operations – Catherine Hickman

Catherine Hickman serves as the Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Football Operations for the Cleveland Browns, roles she assumed in 2022. A native of Montreal, Quebec, she has a diverse background in football operations, starting her career in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Montreal Alouettes in 2015 as an intern, eventually becoming the first female assistant general manager in CFL history.

Before joining the Browns, Hickman worked with the Philadelphia Eagles, where she was the Vice President of Football Operations from 2021, making her the second highest-ranked woman in football personnel history for both the Eagles and the NFL. Her experience also includes stints with the Toronto Argonauts and the Tampa Bay Vipers in the XFL.

In her current role with the Browns, Hickman works closely with General Manager Andrew Berry, contributing to all aspects of roster decisions and day-to-day football operations. She has been recognized for her potential to become an NFL general manager, having been interviewed for such positions, notably with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.

Dolphins Senior Personnel Executive – Reggie Mckenzie

Reggie McKenzie serves as the Senior Personnel Executive for the Miami Dolphins, a role he has held since 2019. Before joining the Dolphins, McKenzie had a distinguished career in the NFL both as a player and executive. He played as a linebacker for the Los Angeles Raiders, Phoenix Cardinals, and San Francisco 49ers from 1985 to 1992, after being drafted in the 10th round by the Raiders in 1985.

Post-playing career, McKenzie transitioned into football operations. He spent 18 years with the Green Bay Packers, from 1994 to 2011, in various roles including pro personnel assistant, director of pro personnel, and director of football operations, during which time the Packers won two Super Bowls. In 2012, McKenzie was appointed as the General Manager of the Oakland Raiders, marking the first GM appointment for the franchise since Al Davis. His tenure with the Raiders from 2012 to 2018 included a significant rebuild, highlighted by drafting key players like Khalil Mack, Derek Carr, and Amari Cooper, leading to a 12-4 record in 2016 and earning him the NFL Executive of the Year award from multiple sources.

After being let go by the Raiders in 2018 following a power struggle with head coach Jon Gruden, McKenzie joined the Miami Dolphins, where he has been assisting in reshaping the team’s roster under General Manager Chris Grier.

Buccaneers Assistant General Manager – John Spytek

John Spytek is the Assistant General Manager for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a position he has held since his promotion in 2023 following his tenure as Vice President of Player Personnel. His career in the NFL spans over two decades, beginning with internships with the Detroit Lions in 2004 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005, where he later became a full-time college scouting assistant and scout until 2009.

Spytek’s journey through the NFL includes stints with multiple teams. After his time with the Eagles, he moved to the Cleveland Browns as Director of College Scouting from 2010 to 2012. He then joined the Denver Broncos, contributing to their Super Bowl 50 victory as a national scout from 2013 to 2015. He was hired by the Buccaneers in 2016 as Director of Player Personnel, showcasing his talent evaluation skills under General Manager Jason Licht.

In his role with the Buccaneers, Spytek oversees the day-to-day operations of both the college and pro scouting departments, is involved in free agency preparation, and works closely with Licht on draft strategies, key free agent acquisitions, and all other personnel decisions. Notable achievements under his watch include the signings of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski in 2020, which led to a Super Bowl LV win, and subsequent successful drafts and free agency maneuvers that have helped maintain the team’s competitiveness.