Jon-Eric Sullivan now has a connection to two of the NFL’s three general manager vacancies. The Packers’ director of player personnel has received an interview request from the Titans, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
On more than one front, the news comes as no surprise. Sullivan is held in high regard around the league, so he represents a logical candidate receive an interview slip from the Titans as part of their search. It will be interesting to see if the Raiders (having moved on from Tom Telesco yesterday) also target Sullivan. In any case, the connections to Tennessee through Chad Brinker make Sullivan a logical target for the Titans.
Brinker had a lengthy spell in Green Bay before heading to Tennessee in 2023. He was promoted to his current role (president of football operations) last offseason, leaving him in a key position as the organization again looks for a new GM. Ran Carthon was hired in 2023, but after two seasons at the helm he was dismissed. Brinker remains in place as the point man for the search regarding Carthon’s replacement, and the Titans made it clear earlier this week it will be Brinker who holds the final say on roster-building decisions regardless of who the next general manager will be.
Keeping that in mind, it would make sense from Brinker’s perspective to bring in a familiar face. He and Sullivan worked together in Green Bay, a franchise which has enjoyed stability in the front office. Achieving the same will be a goal for the Titans as they look to find an organizational structure which ensures long-term success. Assistant GM Anthony Robinson is among the personnel who were also fired in the wake of Carthon’s dismissal, so several executive moves will be needed in the near future.
Sullivan has also received an interview request from the Jets, although it remains to be seen if he will take it. He now has a pair of suitors, so it will be interesting if he does wind up meeting with both New York and Tennessee as part of each teams’ search process.
Via PFR’s general manager search tracker, here is an updated picture of the Titans’ situation:
- Matt Berry, senior director of player personnel (Seahawks): To interview 1/11
- Mike Borgonzi, assistant general manager (Chiefs): To interview 1/12
- Ian Cunningham, assistant general manager (Bears): To interview 1/12
- Thomas Dimitroff, former general manager (Falcons): To interview 1/10
- Ed Dodds, assistant general manager (Colts): To interview 1/11
- Terrance Gray, vice president of player personnel (Bills): To interview 1/11
- Catherine Hickman, assistant general manager (Browns): To interview 1/11
- Reggie McKenzie, senior personnel executive (Dolphins): To interview 1/10
- John Spytek, assistant general manager (Buccaneers): To interview 1/10
- Jon-Eric Sullivan, director of player personnel (Packers): Interview requested