Chad Brinker is stepping down as president of football operations for the Tennessee Titans to pursue other opportunities, the team announced Tuesday night.
Brinker joined the Titans in 2023 as an assistant general manager and in 2024 became president of football operations, reporting directly to owner Amy Adams Strunk in his first year in that position.
“It has been an honor to serve as president of football operations for the Tennessee Titans,” Brinker said in a team statement. “Over the years, I have understood and embraced my role as the leader of the football strategy, but as I have spent less time on the staff, I have renewed conviction that it is time to return to what I love and move toward my next chapter. I am grateful for Amy’s understanding of my decision and for allowing me to pursue other opportunities.
“I’m proud of the work we’ve done over the past three years – under challenging circumstances – to begin the process of getting the Titans football organization back on track, not least of which was last year’s executive search. I believe the Titans have exceptional people and long-term stability in the executive position and throughout the scouting department. While there is work ahead, I believe the Titans have the right to restore a winning plan.”
In 2024, after general manager Ran Carthon was fired, Brinker became de facto GM, reporting directly to Strunk and overseeing the hiring of current general manager Mike Borgonzi, who initially reported to Brinker after he was brought on board.
“When we first met Chad, it was clear that he was an exceptional talent with a deep knowledge of the game and the ability to connect big-picture strategy with execution. While it will be difficult to lose him, I understand his decision and will do everything I can to support him. I wish him, Rachelle and their family the best as they prepare for what’s next and thank them for their dedication and loyalty to the Titans.”
With Brinker as assistant general manager and Carthon as general manager, the Titans hired Brian Callahan as head coach in January 2024. After a 3-14 showing in Callahan’s first campaign, he was fired during the team’s three-game winning streak in 2025. In January, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported that Borgonzi was in the hands of another Titans restructuring, but he no longer announced the Titans’ restructuring. Brinker, but both reported to Strunk.
Borgonzi oversaw the club’s hiring of Robert Saleh as head coach and took the final word on roster construction. According to reports, the idea was the product of a discussion between Brinker and Borgonzi in order to better streamline operations.
Now, Brinker is off to explore other avenues while the Titans, less than a week after the 2026 NFL Draft are once again reconfiguring their front office.
Saleh will begin the 2026 season as the team’s third full-time head coach in four seasons.
Borgonzi is the team’s fifth GM since 2015, including interim general manager Ryan Cowden in 2022 after Jon Robinson was fired, but not including Brinker.
The franchise created an official president of football position in 2023 with the addition of Brinker. Whether another will be added remains to be seen, but the Titans’ ever-changing front office has been reshuffled on a sleepy spring evening.