The NFL is holding its annual owners’ meeting again in the Sunshine State. Topics at these meetings will include rules changes like a “tush push” ban and talks of an 18-game schedule. Also on the docket are the permanent implementation of the dynamic kickoffs and a further definition of the tampering period. What did the top Titans executive Chad Brinker say after speaking to the media?
It’s also a time for the coaches and general managers to gather in one place to hobnob and have no fashion sense. The coaches took their annual picture in a ballroom, which depicted a luxurious outdoor setting instead of going outside, as is tradition. Humorously, eternal rivals Jim Harbaugh and new Las Vegas head coach Pete Carroll are seated next to each other. In another funny anecdote, the league somehow missed the vitriol spewed back and forth between Tampa Bay and Jacksonville. New Jacksonville head coach Liam Coen famously ghosted the Buccaneers after agreeing to an extension to remain their offensive coordinator. Lo and behold, Coen and Bucs’ head coach Todd Bowles are standing beside each other.
NFL coaches gathered on Day One of the Annual Meeting for a quick photo in between sessions. pic.twitter.com/BQdoin0RpV
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) March 30, 2025
Tennessee Titans’ Top Executive: “We’ll See What Happens”
The Titans’ top executive, President of Football Operations Chad Brinker, is in Palm Beach for the annual meetings, and he took the time to speak on several topics, including the top selection. What did he have to say?
A Possible Timeline?
“We are going to go through the whole thing, and I think probably here in two weeks we’re going to have a good idea of where things are headed,”
“And, there’s a chance a team calls and it makes you stop for a second and think, “Hey, we might need to consider this.’ But all of this is a part of being disciplined, and being thorough.”
The premise is that the Titans won’t settle on a selection until the last moments before they have to make a decision. Brinker is trying to up the gamesmanship for the value of the top pick. Given the magnitude of the decision facing the franchise, a little more time to iron out their big board can’t hurt.
On Cam Ward
Tennessee sent their football operations en masse to the Miami Hurricanes’ Pro Day last week to get a deeper look at Ward. Jim Wyatt notes that Brinker witnessed Ward’s theatrics in person in that heartbreaking loss to Georgia Tech, while everyone else has not. The Titans worked Ward out privately days after the Pro Day. Brinker spoke on that occasion, further elaborating that GM Mike Borgonzi, HC Brian Callahan, OC Nick Holz, and QB coach Bo Hardegree were there. Assistant GMs Reggie McKenzie and Dave Ziegler were there as well. How did the Titans’ top executive speak about the presumptive top quarterback in the class?
“It was good to communicate with him, see how he communicates,” Brinker said. “And get an even better for what it’s like to coach this player.”
“I think everybody was very impressed with how he threw the football,” Brinker said of Ward. “He has a rapid release, a really fast release, quickness. The ball spin rate, that ball comes out with zip, and he is accurate. He has a lot of tools to work with. He’s going to be a good prospect.”
Ward has the physical tools and intangible leadership capabilities to succeed in the NFL. Tennessee’s top decision makers needed and wanted a closer look at their potential investment.
Who will be visiting Boulder?
Wyatt also writes that Brinker will not attend Colorado’s Pro Day later this week. However, DC Dennard Wilson will make his first notable 2025 PD appearance along with several others to evaluate Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. It will be interesting to see if Brinker catches the private workouts for Shedeur Sanders and Hunter.
On Sanders and Hunter
“Shedeur is a little bit more of a pocket passer,” Brinker said. “He is accurate, has good mechanics. His father has coached him well, and he obviously is a top prospect as well. We brought him in on a 30 visit and got a chance to get to know him a little bit. And now we get to go through the same process we went through with Cam this past week, we’ll get to go through with Shedeur this week.”
“Travis plays both sides of the ball, so we want our receiver coach to see Travis at receiver, because he plays both ways,” Brinker said. “I haven’t seen a guy has played 120 snaps a game, played both ways like that. He is special, he’s a special talent. He’s just a phenomenal athlete.
“Whether he plays receiver or DB or both in the NFL, this guy is going to be successful. He is a special talent.”
Tennessee is familiar with Sanders as he met with the team at the East-West Shrine Game and again on a “30” visit. Undoubtedly, the entire offensive coaching staff will be on hand for the Pro Day event and the private workout. Another box to check off for everyone involved. The defensive staff will be watching closely as well. Hunter is a generational prospect that rarely comes along. He would fill an immense need at receiver and cornerback.
Another EDGE Named Carter In Nashville?
Brinker has consistently contacted Carter, who’s been actively campaigning on social media to become the first overall selection. Tennessee once had a dominant EDGE rusher with the same surname as young Abdul. Kevin Carter was a great player next to The Freak, Jevon Kearse. Could it be Penn State’s youngster who takes the mantle? Brinker has some thoughts.
“Obviously Abdul Carter is a great talent with explosive edge speed, ability to rush the passer. We all know what type of football player he is,” Brinker said of Carter. “People are making comparisons of his college tape, and the way he plays and bends the corner is like Von Miller. He has a lot of exciting tools to work with.”
The NFL has a medical recheck in Indianapolis. Carter will be part of the process since his foot injury in the College Football Playoff prevented him from participating in the offseason circuit. Mr. Carter was a passel of top prospects who used their “30” visits before free agency. Tennessee’s top executive further expounded upon the medical portion by stating the following:
“Everybody is still monitoring, that’s part of our process,” Brinker said. “The medical is a big part of this and we need to understand all that goes into this, especially when you are talking about a No.1 pick or a top three pick. You have to do your due diligence. … The medical is more important than him actually running the 40.”
A Game Of Telephone
“You have conversations here and there, but I think everybody understands these trades get done closer to the draft than they do now, at least most of the time,” Brinker said. “People are checking in, going through there process. So, we’ll see what happens.”
The market for teams that need quarterbacks at the top of the draft has seemingly dried up for the Titans to exploit. New York has signed a pair of veteran passers and is likely out of the picture. While in theory, they could draft a young passer like Sanders to complement Wilson and Winston, it doesn’t make sense from an asset allocation perspective. Cleveland needs a quarterback in the worst way possible, but GM Andrew Berry has emphatically denied any interest in trading up. MetLife Stadium’s other tenant has a new inconsistent passer they’re trying to build around. Las Vegas recently made a shock trade, so realistically, they’re out of the picture.
Brinker and company could be stuck in a pickle if they opt not to draft a quarterback with the first overall selection and no one bites at their demands. It’s pretty clear that the roster is being built around a future quarterback.
Main Photo: Stephanie Amador Blo – Imagn Images
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