Chad Brinker Steps Down as Titans’ Football Operations Chief

The Tennessee Titans are once again reshuffling their leadership structure, as Chad Brinker has stepped down from his role as president of football operations.

Brinker, who held the position since 2024, cited a desire to return to his roots in personnel and player-focused work as the driving force behind his decision.

“I have a renewed conviction that it is time to return to what I love,” Brinker said, signaling a shift away from the broader executive responsibilities he had taken on in recent years.

A Strategic Mind Behind the Scenes

Brinker’s impact in Tennessee extended beyond traditional front office duties. After joining in 2023 as assistant GM, he quickly rose to oversee football operations, reporting directly to owner Amy Adams Strunk.

His tenure emphasized modernization. Brinker played a key role in expanding the franchise’s analytics infrastructure, integrating data across scouting, coaching, salary cap strategy, and sports science. That approach aimed to create a more sustainable, forward-thinking roster-building model.

He also led the search that resulted in the hiring of current general manager Mike Borgonzi, whom he later empowered to take full control of personnel decisions.

A Franchise Still Searching for Stability

Brinker’s departure adds another layer to a period of constant change for the Titans.

Since late 2022, the organization has cycled through multiple general managers and head coaches, including moves involving Mike Vrabel, Brian Callahan, and now current head coach Robert Saleh.

This level of turnover has made sustained progress difficult, even as the team attempts to reset its identity and rebuild into a contender.

What This Means Moving Forward

With Brinker stepping away, the spotlight now shifts fully to Borgonzi, who already holds primary control over roster construction.

Ownership had previously streamlined the chain of command, ensuring both Borgonzi and Brinker reported directly to Adams Strunk. Now, that structure becomes even more simplified.

The key question is whether this latest change finally brings clarity—or just extends a cycle of instability.

A Foundation, but Work Remains

Despite the turbulence, Brinker leaves believing the groundwork has been laid.

“I believe we’ve laid the foundation to restore the Titans to a sustainable, winning program,” he said.

Whether that vision materializes will depend on continuity—something Tennessee has struggled to maintain in recent years.

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