Chad Brinker Takes Charge as the Titans’ De Facto General Manager
Chad Brinker steps up as the Titans’ new leader in football operations after the firing of G.M. Ran Carthon, reshaping the team’s future.
Chad Brinker, Tennessee Titans, Ran Carthon, Nashville, NFL
Nashville: Chad Brinker joined the Titans as the Assistant General Manager two years ago. Now, he’s stepping up as the main guy in charge.
On Tuesday, the Titans made headlines by firing G.M. Ran Carthon. But the real story is that Brinker is now leading the entire football operation.
He’s been promoted to president of football operations for 2024, giving him the final say on all football matters. This is a big shift for the team.
According to Titans president and CEO Burke Nihill, owner Amy Adams Strunk wants clear leadership in the organization. So, while there will still be a general manager, Brinker will be the one calling the shots.
It’s a bit ironic that the new G.M. won’t actually be the G.M. Brinker is taking on that role, just with a different title. We even mentioned him as a potential replacement for Carthon last Sunday.
Nihill pointed out that Carthon was hired for a different role than what exists now. The team’s needs have changed, and Brinker will be looking for someone with a new skill set to fill the G.M. position.
It’s a tricky situation when a team fires a G.M. or coach but not both. It can lead to blame-shifting instead of teamwork. If they share accountability, they’re more likely to work together.
Interestingly, Carthon had powers that are now directly given to Brinker without a search for a new G.M. We’ve asked the league if this follows the Rooney Rule.
As for who might step in as G.M. next, one name to keep an eye on is Jon-Eric Sullivan from the Packers. He and Brinker have a long history together in Green Bay.
The bigger question now is whether coach Brian Callahan will be next to go. If he’s Brinker’s choice, he might be safe. If not, he could be looking for a new job soon.
In short, Brinker has made quite the leap. In just two years, he’s gone from assistant G.M. to the top of the football hierarchy. It’s a remarkable rise, not quite like Jack Easterby’s in Houston, but still impressive.