NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans, already poised to make an impactful selection with the No. 1 overall draft pick, have secured Mike Borgonzi as their new general manager, announced on Friday. Borgonzi, who previously served as the assistant general manager for the Kansas City Chiefs, steps in as the Titans’ 15th general manager.

Following the firing of Ran Carthon—who guided the team to a disappointing 9-25 record over two seasons—the Titans swiftly initiated a search for his replacement. Starting with virtual interviews on January 10, the team assessed ten candidates over four days, eventually moving to a second round with two finalists. Borgonzi emerged as the choice, marking a significant transition for the organization, which has witnessed three consecutive seasons of losing records.

Controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk expressed confidence in Borgonzi’s extensive experience, highlighting the accomplishments of the Chiefs over the past five seasons as a benchmark for the standards she aims to establish in Tennessee. “It’s the type of standard I want to build here in Tennessee,” Strunk stated. “I know we have a lot of work ahead of us and I’m excited for Mike to get started.” The selection process included a meeting with Borgonzi that also featured key executives from the Titans’ management team, and they were particularly impressed by his strategic vision for the franchise.

Chad Brinker, the president of football operations, conveyed his longstanding admiration for Borgonzi’s contributions and his well-thought-out plan for the Titans. “Mike should have been a general manager two years ago,” Brinker remarked. “He is ready for this job… When he came in the building, he said it just felt like a family here, and it reminded him a little bit of Kansas City and what they have been able to build there.”

Borgonzi is scheduled to be formally introduced at a news conference next week. His interview process included a virtual dialogue on Sunday, followed by a subsequent in-person meeting, after which he was selected. His notable background includes a 16-year tenure with the Chiefs, where he played a pivotal role in their success as they prepare for their divisional round matchup as the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Chiefs’ legacy includes appearances in four out of the last five Super Bowls, securing three championships since January 2020.

In his latest role with Kansas City, Borgonzi oversaw the scouting operations across college and professional levels while contributing to roster construction efforts. Prior to his promotion to assistant general manager in 2021, Borgonzi held roles that spanned various aspects of football operations, starting with the Chiefs in 2009. Alongside his professional journey, he also has family ties in football, as his brother serves as a linebackers coach for the Chicago Bears.

The Titans have decided to retain Brian Callahan as head coach despite a challenging 3-14 season, and Borgonzi’s hiring positions the team well ahead of the upcoming East-West Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl events. These scenarios will be essential for evaluating draft-eligible talent. Payton McCollum, an offensive assistant, is set to coach the quarterbacks on the West team during the Shrine Bowl, which features notable prospects like Shedeur Sanders from Colorado.

Tennessee’s quarterback scene is currently led by Will Levis, the 33rd overall pick from 2023, as he is the only signal-caller under contract for the 2025 season. Levis had a rocky second season, marked by turnovers, leading to a share of snaps with backup Mason Rudolph during the last game of the season.

Financially, the Titans find themselves with roughly $55 million in projected salary cap space, positioning them among the top teams in the league. Coupled with the top draft pick, this provides the Titans with ample opportunity to reshape a roster that tied for the highest number of losses since the franchise relocated from Texas in 1997.

From 2016 to 2021, the Titans showcased a strong performance, achieving six consecutive winning seasons with a record of 68-38, making them contenders for the playoffs during that span. However, since then, they have struggled with a collapse in form, compiling a record of 16-35, which places them in a challenging position within the competitive landscape of the NFL.