Full Breakdown
Chad Brinker Resigns as Tennessee Titans President of Football Operations
4/30/2026, 11:29:23 PM
Resignation Announcement and Immediate Context
On a Tuesday in either July 2025 or April 2026, Chad Brinker announced his departure from the Tennessee Titans, saying he wants to return to personnel work and explore new opportunities. He thanked controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk for her support.
Background: Front Office Turnover and Role Evolution
Brinker arrived in Nashville in 2023 as assistant general manager under Ran Carthon after 13 years with the Green Bay Packers. He was promoted to president of football operations in 2024 and created an analytics unit that integrated salary-cap strategy with scouting. His tenure overlapped three general-manager changes (Jon Robinson, Ran Carthon, Mike Borgonzi) and three head-coach changes (Mike Vrabel, Brian Callahan, Robert Saleh) since December 2022.
Timeline of Brinker’s Tenure
- 2023: Hired as assistant GM under Ran Carthon.
- 2024: Promoted to president of football operations.
- 2025: Led search that hired GM Mike Borgonzi; Borgonzi assumed final roster authority.
- 2025/2026: Brinker announced resignation.
Data & Statistics
The Titans have cycled through three general managers and three head coaches in the past four years, posting a combined 6-28 record in the 2024-2025 seasons. Brinker brought 13 years of Packers experience and oversaw the launch of a data-driven scouting department.
Official Statements & Responses
Brinker said he felt a renewed conviction to focus on personnel and expressed gratitude to Strunk for her understanding. Strunk called him an “exceptional talent” and pledged continued support. Borgonzi described Brinker as “invaluable” to the organization.
Criticism & Opposition
AtozSports labeled the dual-leadership model a “catastrophic failure,” arguing that splitting general-manager duties created confusion and set the franchise back. The outlet also described the period as a “failed attempt to pivot” amid rapid turnover.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources disagree on the resignation date: ESPN, AtozSports and SI cite a July 2025 exit, while FrontOfficeSports and StreamlineFeed place it in April 2026. No source confirms whether the president of football operations role will be refilled.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When we first met Chad, it was clear he was an exceptional talent with deep knowledge of the game and the ability to connect big-picture strategy to execution,” — Amy Adams Strunk, controlling owner.
- “Chad is invaluable to me," Borgonzi said in January.” — Mike Borgonzi, general manager.
- “Over the years, I’ve understood and embraced my role as the leader of the football strategy, but as I’ve spent less time in personnel, I have a renewed conviction that it is time to return to what I love and move towards my next chapter.” — Chad Brinker.
- “While it is difficult to lose him, I understand his decision and will do whatever I can to support him.” — Amy Adams Strunk.
Implications for the Titans
With Borgonzi now holding sole roster authority, the Titans have moved to a more traditional front-office structure, adding assistant GM Dave Ziegler and VP/football advisor Reggie McKenzie. Brinker’s departure leaves a gap that may be filled by an external hire or by redistributing his analytics duties.
What’s Next
The franchise will enter the 2026 NFL Draft and the upcoming season under Borgonzi’s leadership. Ownership has emphasized stability, and no public timeline has been set for appointing a new president of football operations.
