Chad Brinker steps down

[Jamalisms]

7 hours ago, TeamRamrod said:

Good stuff from Bert.

 

“I think the Titans might finally have things straightened out. That isn’t a shot at now-departed president of football operations Chad Brinker. His departure last week, as I understand it, was more the result of a symptom of what has taken place in Nashville over the last 40 months. Which has basically been Band-Aid after Band-Aid after Band-Aid.”

 

“The story all this tells is one of scattershot decision-making, failed hiring processes and a general lack of vision for an organization. A lot of it lands at the feet of Strunk, and we’ve been over that plenty here the past few years. But looking forward? There’s reason for hope …

Borgonzi has stocked his personnel department with ex-GMs (assistant GM Dave Ziegler and VP/football advisor Reggie McKenzie) and guys on the rise (VP of player personnel Dan Saganey and director of player personnel Jon Salge, the one holdover from past regimes at that level). Meanwhile, Saleh has former head coaches Brian Daboll and Gus Bradley as coordinators and veteran assistant John Fassel running his special teams.“

 

“That doesn’t mean Brinker won’t leave a void. There’s some rearranging to do on the operations side, and there certainly could be an addition or two. And the process of aligning all of it is still ongoing.

But this feels like the Titans’ brass is in lockstep for the first time in a long time, now possessing an experienced front office and field crew. The hope is the class they just drafted is in line with that and the 2026 season will be, too.”

 

 

Well stated and fair.

[Mythos27]

16 hours ago, Justafan said:

The organization was a mess as a result of failed hire after failed hire and it was instable because of all the changeover. 

 

I think there is a legitimate argument that it wasn't AAS fault. She didn't cause Jrob or Ran or Vrabel or Mularkey or Callahan or anyone else to fail. They did that all on their own. The organization and its failures are her responsibility though and that's why she will get criticism. 

Exactly. It's the difference between fault and responsibility. Is AAS at fault for all of the individual fuck ups that have led us to where we are as a franchise? No. But is she ultimately responsible? Hell yes. My first lesson in leadership was that the fish rots from the head. If you're in charge and shit is going sideways or the subordinates you hired are fucking things up it's on you fix it because you're the one that can. That's leadership. The Brinker departure is 100% a continuation of instability, however, instability is not inherently bad and it's possible that it's also the last sign of it, meaning things are stable from here on out. We won't know that for a few years though. 

[NashvilleNinja]

28 minutes ago, Mythos27 said:

it's possible that it's also the last sign of it, meaning things are stable from here on out. We won't know that for a few years though. 

 

Or at least until February 2027, when we're hoisting the Lombardi...

[TerryBoats]

This move clearly shows growth from Amy.  This is exactly what she should have done with Jon Robinson instead of dragging him through the coals by firing him after the AJ Brown game.  

[NashvilleNinja]

32 minutes ago, TerryBoats said:

This move clearly shows growth from Amy.  This is exactly what she should have done with Jon Robinson instead of dragging him through the coals by firing him after the AJ Brown game.  

 

Were you hit in the head recently? Serious question.

[oldschool]

On 5/5/2026 at 6:50 AM, Mythos27 said:

Exactly. It's the difference between fault and responsibility. Is AAS at fault for all of the individual fuck ups that have led us to where we are as a franchise? No. But is she ultimately responsible? Hell yes. My first lesson in leadership was that the fish rots from the head. If you're in charge and shit is going sideways or the subordinates you hired are fucking things up it's on you fix it because you're the one that can. That's leadership. The Brinker departure is 100% a continuation of instability, however, instability is not inherently bad and it's possible that it's also the last sign of it, meaning things are stable from here on out. We won't know that for a few years though. 

 

Overall a fair point however as someone in leadership I wouldn't say every case of someone high up leaving is a sign of instability. Plenty of well run companies have turnover at the top for various reasons and stable orgs are able to move on without a hitch.

[NashvilleNinja]

1 minute ago, oldschool said:

 

Overall a fair point however as someone in leadership I wouldn't say every case of someone high up leaving is a sign of instability. Plenty of well run companies have turnover at the top for various reasons and stable orgs are able to move on without a hitch.

 

Being gunshy is understandable given the team's recent history. But Borgonzi strikes me as a stable leader and most everyone has been a fan of Borgonzi's moves. Unless we're given proof to think otherwise, Brinker leaving or Zeigler getting a GM job somewhere else is just business as usual. Anyone fretting over it should touch grass and rethink things.

[titanruss]

I think Borgonzi did well last year but this is really more like his first year. Last year was weird as he knew Callahan was likely gone so he couldn't invest in those coaches schemes too heavily and the Cam Ward selection was set in stone. 

 

This off season, feels like he could have done a lot more for the OL. It scared me when at the beginning of the off-season he talked about fixing the DL like they did the OL last year.... as the OL was kinda shit.  Him saying that also indicated he was basically fine with the OL construction. That thought scares me, especially with a QB coming off a throwing shoulder injury.

 

I really really really hope we bring in some OT/RG Vets this offseason and go hard out building a dominant OL next year. 

 

 

[Supernope]

2 hours ago, titanruss said:

I really really really hope we bring in some OT/RG Vets this offseason

Other than Zeitler, who are the TR persons of interest?

[TerryBoats]

4 hours ago, titanruss said:

I think Borgonzi did well last year but this is really more like his first year. Last year was weird as he knew Callahan was likely gone so he couldn't invest in those coaches schemes too heavily and the Cam Ward selection was set in stone. 

 

This off season, feels like he could have done a lot more for the OL. It scared me when at the beginning of the off-season he talked about fixing the DL like they did the OL last year.... as the OL was kinda shit.  Him saying that also indicated he was basically fine with the OL construction. That thought scares me, especially with a QB coming off a throwing shoulder injury.

 

I really really really hope we bring in some OT/RG Vets this offseason and go hard out building a dominant OL next year. 

 

 

That's why I was pushing for them to draft a tackle.  I could definitely see one of the 3 guys who went in the 17-21 range being a quality LT.  And at worst, a good RT.  The value in the first this year was in the OL, IMO.  And it's hard to feel great about them this year, much less in the future.

Edited May 7 by TerryBoats

[titanruss]

5 hours ago, Supernope said:

Other than Zeitler, who are the TR persons of interest?

I haven't looked in a while but there was still  competitive options and guys that were formally great but have been down with injuries for a year or two. Worth the risk to me. 

[IsntLifeFunny]

Brinker leaving is signs that the roles didn't align. That is obvious. How that plays out...well I think we are in the best hands since we came to TN. Or at least since Fisher made the power play that destabilized the organization. 

[NashvilleNinja]

1 hour ago, IsntLifeFunny said:

Brinker leaving is signs that the roles didn't align. That is obvious. How that plays out...well I think we are in the best hands since we came to TN. Or at least since Fisher made the power play that destabilized the organization. 

 

Here's to hoping Saleh doesn't have GM aspirations.

[titanskick8851]

LOL at Brinker stepping down, likely to chase a GM job (hoping for an opportunity for the Vikings job probably), only to be cucked by Dave Ziegler getting an interview!

[oldschool]

1 minute ago, titanskick8851 said:

LOL at Brinker stepping down, likely to chase a GM job (hoping for an opportunity for the Vikings job probably), only to be cucked by Dave Ziegler getting an interview!

 

you realize since Brinker is no longer employed by the Titans, the Vikings don't have seek permission to interview him right? I have no idea if the Vikings are interested in him or not but the narrative here is off.