Titans Hire Mike Borgonzi as New General Manager \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Tennessee Titans have named Kansas City Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi as their new general manager, replacing Ran Carthon. Borgonzi brings 16 years of NFL experience, including helping build Kansas City’s Super Bowl-winning rosters. He will lead the Titans in a pivotal rebuilding phase with the first overall draft pick and significant salary cap space.
Mike Borgonzi Named Tennessee Titans GM: Quick Looks
- New Hire: Kansas City assistant GM Mike Borgonzi is the Titans’ 15th general manager.
- Rebuilding Opportunity: Borgonzi inherits a team with the No. 1 overall draft pick and $55M in cap space.
- Owner’s Statement: Amy Adams Strunk praised Borgonzi’s experience with the Chiefs’ success.
- Search Process: The Titans conducted 10 virtual interviews in four days before finalizing the decision.
- Borgonzi’s Background: Key contributor to Kansas City’s three Super Bowl wins since 2020.
- Coaching Updates: QB coach Payton McCollum will lead at the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Deep Look
The Tennessee Titans have ushered in a new chapter by hiring Mike Borgonzi, previously the assistant general manager for the Kansas City Chiefs, as their 15th general manager. The decision was announced Friday after a fast-paced interview process that began on January 10 and saw the Titans evaluate 10 candidates in just four days. Borgonzi, who emerged as a standout candidate, will take over a team that is in dire need of a rebuild following several difficult seasons.
A Proven Leader from Kansas City
Mike Borgonzi’s extensive experience with the Kansas City Chiefs made him an attractive choice for the Titans. Over his 16-year tenure in Kansas City, Borgonzi played a crucial role in building one of the NFL’s most dominant teams of the modern era. The Chiefs have won three Super Bowl titles since 2020, appeared in four of the past five Super Bowls, and consistently set the standard for roster construction and sustained success.
Borgonzi’s responsibilities in Kansas City included overseeing the Chiefs’ college and professional scouting departments and assisting in overall roster management. As the right-hand man to Chiefs general manager Brett Veach, Borgonzi was instrumental in identifying and developing talent that has fueled Kansas City’s championship runs. Before his promotion to assistant GM in 2021, Borgonzi served as director of football operations for three years, further showcasing his comprehensive understanding of team building.
Owner Amy Adams Strunk’s Confidence
Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk expressed her enthusiasm for Borgonzi’s hire, citing his track record of success with the Chiefs as a model for what the Titans aim to achieve. “Mike’s experience speaks for itself, given what the Chiefs have accomplished over the past five seasons,” Strunk said. “It’s the type of standard I want to build here in Tennessee.”
Strunk, along with other key members of the Titans’ leadership team, including president of football operations Chad Brinker and head coach Brian Callahan, met with Borgonzi during his second-round interview. The consensus among the decision-makers was clear: Borgonzi was the right person to lead the franchise into a new era.
Rebuilding the Titans
Borgonzi inherits a franchise in transition. After six consecutive winning seasons from 2016 to 2021, during which the Titans posted a 68-38 record and captured two AFC South titles, the team has faltered significantly. Over the past three seasons, Tennessee has gone 16-35, tying with the Arizona Cardinals for the league’s third-worst winning percentage.
Despite this decline, the Titans are in a favorable position to rebuild. They hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, a coveted asset that could help secure a franchise-altering player. The team also has an estimated $55 million in salary cap space, according to Spotrac, which ranks 11th in the NFL. This financial flexibility will allow Borgonzi to address key roster needs during free agency and via trades.
Quarterback Conundrum
One of Borgonzi’s most pressing decisions involves the quarterback position. The Titans’ only quarterback under contract for the 2025 season is Will Levis, the 33rd overall pick in the 2023 draft. While Levis showed flashes of potential, he struggled with turnovers and was benched during his second season before splitting snaps with backup Mason Rudolph in the season finale.
The Titans have an opportunity to reset at quarterback, and all eyes are on Shedeur Sanders, the standout signal-caller from Colorado who is considered a strong contender for the top pick in the draft. Offensive assistant Payton McCollum, who will serve as the quarterbacks coach for the West team at the East-West Shrine Bowl, will have an early chance to evaluate Sanders and other quarterback prospects firsthand.
Building a Winning Culture
Borgonzi’s impact will extend beyond the draft and free agency. His background in building a championship culture in Kansas City is one of the most appealing aspects of his hire. Borgonzi himself acknowledged the parallels between the Chiefs and Titans, noting that the family-like atmosphere in Tennessee reminded him of what Kansas City had cultivated during its rise to prominence.
“Mike should have been a general manager two years ago,” said Chad Brinker, who oversaw the GM search process. “He is ready for this job. He said coming into the building felt like family, and it reminded him of Kansas City and what they’ve built there.”
Immediate Goals
Borgonzi will be introduced at a press conference next week, where he is expected to outline his vision for the franchise. His first major challenge will be preparing for the draft and free agency, ensuring the Titans maximize their resources to improve a roster that struggled to compete in recent seasons.
Additionally, the Titans’ coaching staff, led by Brian Callahan, will play a pivotal role in implementing Borgonzi’s vision on the field. Callahan, who endured a tough 3-14 debut season as head coach, remains a key figure in the franchise’s long-term plans.
Hope for the Future
The Titans’ leadership is optimistic that Borgonzi’s hiring marks the beginning of a turnaround for the franchise. With a proven track record in talent evaluation, roster management, and fostering a winning culture, Borgonzi has all the tools to revitalize the Titans and restore them to playoff contention.
Titans fans, who watched their team rise to prominence only to fall into mediocrity, now have reason to believe that brighter days are ahead. While the challenges are significant, the combination of Borgonzi’s experience, the franchise’s resources, and a clear vision for the future could be the foundation for long-term success in Tennessee.
Titans Hire Mike
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