In a surprising yet decisive move, the Tennessee Titans have parted ways with General Manager Ran Carthon after just two seasons, during which the team struggled to achieve a successful record.
Carthon, who made history as the franchise’s first Black general manager in January 2023, was instrumental in hiring Brian Callahan as the new head coach a year later. Despite these notable changes, the Titans ended this season with a dismal 9-25 record — a primary factor contributing to Carthon’s dismissal.
Under Carthon’s management, the Titans became one of the NFL’s top spenders. The team signed prominent players such as cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, center Lloyd Cushenberry, wide receiver Calvin Ridley, and running back Tony Pollard. While Ridley accumulated 1,017 yards and Pollard led with 1,079 yards and five touchdowns, these investments did not translate into consistent victories for the team.
The performance challenges this season were intensified by injuries, including cornerback L’Jarius Sneed’s quad injury, which required bone marrow injections and sidelined him after just five games. Additionally, Cushenberry only started eight games, and Awuzie struggled with his time on injured reserve and was benched for a game.
Tennessee’s controlling owner, Amy Adams Strunk, highlighted the need for a change due to the lack of improvement over the past two years. She emphasized the importance of restoring the team’s performance to meet fan expectations. The Titans have not seen such poor results since 2014, matching their highest number of losses since relocating from Texas to Tennessee in 1997. As a consequence, they currently hold the fourth overall No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL draft.
The Titans’ president and CEO, Burke Nihill, noted that the franchise’s expectations for the general manager role have shifted. With changes in team dynamics, the Titans now seek a general manager who will closely collaborate with the head coach. This shift illustrates the evolving nature of the position under Carthon’s tenure and the subsequent need for realignment.
During Carthon’s leadership, the Titans also dealt with quarterback Will Levis’s development. Drafted at No. 33 overall after trading up, Levis contended with a shoulder injury, was benched, and played only 12 games, during which he contributed to 18 of the team’s 34 turnovers. Carthon’s choices have been scrutinized as the Titans strive to rebuild a solid foundation.
The search for a new general manager is led by Chad Brinker, president of football operations. Brinker faces the significant task of selecting a leader capable of addressing the shortcomings exposed during Carthon’s tenure and driving the team’s recovery forward. Meanwhile, Callahan will continue as head coach, tasked with realizing the potential of an offensively strong lineup and ensuring the team rebounds from a disappointing season.
The departure of Ran Carthon marks a pivotal moment for the Tennessee Titans as they seek to realign their strategy and restore success on the field. With new leadership on the horizon, the focus now shifts to leveraging their draft position and revitalizing team performance under Coach Callahan’s guidance.
Source: Local10
