After a dismal 2024-25 season in which the Tennessee Titans secured the first overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, the franchise has elected to fire GM Ran Carthon. Before his promotion to GM, the now-former general manager served as the director of player personnel in San Francisco. He began his front office career under the stewardship of Thomas Dimitroff in 2008, serving as a pro scout for three seasons. Carthon then received an elevated role as the director of player personnel under Les Snead with the Rams. The former Colts running back served in the 49ers front office for six seasons before Tennessee.
A major move in Tennessee, as the #Titans are firing GM Ran Carthon.
With the Titans having the top pick, Carthon is out after two seasons. pic.twitter.com/8LqjCzXZEa
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 7, 2025
Tennessee Titans Fire General Manager Ran Carthon
Owner Amy Adams Strunk fired former GM Jon Robinson after his numerous draft and free agent errors during the 2023 offseason. One glaring strike on his CV was the infamous A.J. Brown trade that sent Brown to the Eagles. In return, the Titans received the right to select Treylon Burks, who had been consistently injured and could not live up to the standard that Brown set.
There was speculation about Ran Carthon’s job status heading into Sunday’s action, but NFL insider Josina Anderson confirmed reports on Sunday evening.
Multiple high-level personnel folks around the league are talking about and monitoring the #Titans GM job, per sources.
Nothing is definitive.@BovadaOfficial
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 6, 2025
Carthon did very well in the drafts he was in charge of, landing multiple contributors such as Peter Skoronski, Will Levis, Tyjae Spears, and Josh Whyle in the 2023 NFL Draft. The 2024 draft class was far more impactful for the Titans as it was the first without Mike Vrabel looming over his shoulder. Tennessee landed three instant impact rookies in left tackle JC Latham, T’Vondre Sweat, and Jarvis Brownlee, Jr. JBJ and Sweat were quite the punch for an aggressive defense that needed rebuilding. Brownlee Jr had to start multiple games earlier than expected due to injuries to L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie. While not sterling, his draft record is on par with other successful GMs.
Where Did It Go Wrong?
The former Titans’ general manager’s downfall could be traced to a lavish offseason spending spree that netted them Tony Pollard, Calvin Ridley, Lloyd Cushenberry, L’Jarius Sneed, and WR Tyler Boyd, among others. Cushenberry and Sneed hardly suited up for the Titans. Carthon’s blatant refusal or unwillingness to address the right tackle position compromised Tennessee’s ability to evaluate the disastrous Levis properly. The offseason spending spree inflated fans’ expectations for the moribund franchise, and they did not deliver on them. Head coach Brian Callahan was his handpicked choice, and the coach is in limbo after a hugely dissatisfying 3-14 campaign. Warning flares shot off when assistant GM Chad Brinker earned a promotion over Carthon to President of Football Operations.
What’s Next?
The Titans have the first overall selection and nearly $65 million in cap space, so they have the war chest to turn it around. Prospective executives will be salivating over the prospect of having their own quarterback and the finances to reimagine the franchise to their liking. However, the reputation of owner, Amy Adams Strunk, is a trigger-happy and impatient owner who detests losing to Houston. Which Tennessee achieved in its Week 18 finale.
Main Photo Courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA Today Sports – Imagn Images
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