The Tennessee Titans are lining up interviews for their open general manager job. The team fired Ran Carthon earlier this week after another miserable season that resulted in the Titans landing the top pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Several teams have openings at GM, so the Titans know they need to move quickly. Reggie McKenzie and others have already interviewed with the team.
McKenzie is an interesting name. The executive currently serves in the front office of the Miami Dolphins and was the GM of the then-Oakland Raiders for seven years.
McKenzie’s time in Oakland did not exactly go flawlessly. The team had a pick inside the top 15 of the draft in five of McKenzie’s seven seasons. However, the GM did select notable talents like Amari Cooper, Khalil Mack, and Kolton Miller.
Although the former Raider GM’s name is not the sexiest, I believe McKenzie would be a great fit alongside Chad Brinker in the Titans’ front office.
McKenzie, like Brinker, spent years with the Green Bay Packers
Reggie McKenzie. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay Packers are a model NFL franchise. The team is stable and almost always field a competitive roster. Thus, it’s not a surprise that teams like to poach from Green Bay.
McKenzie was with the Packers from 1994-2011. The executive began as a pro personnel assistant and ended as the director of football operations. The Packers won two Super Bowls during that time, so McKenzie knows what winning teams look like.
Brinker and McKenzie were together in Green Bay from 2009-11, so the men have some level of familiarity.
McKenzie has Tennessee roots
Reggie McKenzie. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
McKenzie was born and raised in Knoxville and played at the University of Tennessee. McKenzie’s son, Kahlil, also played for the Volunteers. The executive has Tennessee roots, which means you’d think he’d have a vested interest in returning his home state’s team to glory.
Hiring McKenzie could also help bridge the gap between Titans and Vols fans. The Vols are one of the most passionate fanbases in college sports, and the Titans would be wise to lean into their state’s college team more.
There are many dual Titans-Vols fans, and they would be ecstatic to see a VFL leading the charge in Nashville.