Tennessee Titans Undergo Major Overhaul After Disappointing Season
Change in the Front Office
The Tennessee Titans have made sweeping changes just days after finishing a challenging 3-14 season. In a move that shocked many, the franchise parted ways with General Manager Ran Carthon, signaling yet another shift in their rapidly evolving organizational landscape. With such a disappointing record, the Titans have secured the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft. While expectations for the 2024 season were already modest, with a projected win total of just 6.5, this latest development adds another layer to the team’s narrative.
The team’s trajectory in recent years has been tumultuous. They once held the top spot in the AFC in 2021, boasting a 12-5 record, only to face a heartbreaking loss to the Bengals in the divisional playoffs. That success seems like a distant memory now, as the Titans have struggled to find stability in their leadership roles. This ongoing instability is highlighted by the firing of Jon Robinson in 2022, despite the team initially leading their division that season.
Draft Moves and Key Personnel Changes
Robinson's tenure included notable moves like trading star receiver A.J. Brown to the Eagles, a decision that brought Traylor Burks to Tennessee through the draft. However, this trade seemed to haunt the Titans when Brown racked up 119 yards and two touchdowns against them in a stunning revenge game. The front office drama continued, with Ryan Cowden stepping into an interim role before Carthon's appointment as GM just before the 2023 season.
Carthon's brief tenure included significant draft picks such as Peter Skoronski, Will Levis, and Tyjae Spears. Yet, even with a $228 million investment in free agency, it wasn’t enough to secure his position. Burke Nihill, a prominent figure in the organization, openly discussed the unexpected nature of Carthon’s departure, noting that “Ran was hired into a very different job description than the one that exists today.” Evidently, the role's evolution played a part in the decision to seek a new path.
Coaching and Management Shifts
The Titans are now under the leadership of Brian Callahan, who stepped in after Mike Vrabel was shown the door post-2024 season. Alongside this coaching change, Chad Brinker has been promoted from assistant general manager to president of football operations. Brinker’s background includes stints with the Packers under Ted Thompson and Brian Guntekust, arming him with the experience necessary for his elevated role. Concurrently, Ran Carthon was promoted to executive vice president of football operations/GM earlier in 2024, but his stint was short-lived due to changing expectations.
Nihill acknowledges the shifts in roles and responsibilities, stating, “What Chad, who is leading the search, will be looking for is a very different skill set for a very different job description.” This reflects a broader organizational pivot towards restructuring their hierarchy and redefining roles. As the Titans navigate this second coaching transition and multiple GM changes since mid-2023, the team is in search of solid footing.
With these transitions underway and the NFL draft looming, the Titans are gearing up for what could be another transformative year. Aligning leadership and vision will be crucial as they build towards the future, hoping to regain the competitive edge that once defined them. The coming months will undoubtedly be instrumental in shaping the Titans’ identity and fortunes in the highly competitive NFL landscape.