Ran Carthon's Vision Guides the Tennessee Titans Through Transition

Since taking over as general manager of the Tennessee Titans in 2023, Ran Carthon has faced a daunting task: leading the franchise through a critical transition period, one that requires balancing short-term competitiveness with long-term sustainability. After years of relying on veteran stars like Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill, the Titans entered 2024 with a clear need to rebuild—addressing gaps at quarterback, offensive line, and secondary while preserving core talent that could anchor future success. Carthon’s vision, rooted in patience, intentionality, and a focus on “building from the inside out,” has become the compass for this transition, guiding every decision from draft picks to free-agent signings to coaching staff adjustments. Ran Carthon's Vision Guides the Tennessee Titans Through Transition explores the core pillars of his strategy, his approach to quarterback development, his focus on organizational alignment, his handling of fan and media expectations, and how his vision is laying the groundwork for the Titans’ next era of success.

Ran Carthon's Vision Guides the Tennessee Titans Through Transition begins with the core pillars of Carthon’s strategy, which he has articulated repeatedly since joining the franchise: prioritize the trenches, invest in young talent with high upside, and build a culture of accountability that extends from the front office to the locker room. Unlike previous regimes that chased quick fixes via high-priced free agents, Carthon has emphasized “sustainable winning”—a model he learned during his time as an executive with the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions, where he helped build rosters that competed deep into the playoffs. “Winning in the NFL isn’t about one season—it’s about building a system that can produce winners year after year,” Carthon said in his introductory press conference. This has translated to deliberate roster moves: re-signing Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to anchor the defense, drafting offensive linemen in early rounds to protect the quarterback, and adding versatile defensive backs to address the secondary. Even tough decisions—like reducing running back Derrick Henry’s role to prepare for the future—have been rooted in this long-term view. “Every move we make has to answer one question: Does this help us win now and build for later?” Carthon told Titans ownership in a 2024 strategy meeting.

Ran Carthon's Vision Guides the Tennessee Titans Through Transition next delves into Carthon’s approach to quarterback development—a cornerstone of the Titans’ transition, given the position’s importance to NFL success. After Ryan Tannehill’s decline in 2023, Carthon resisted the urge to sign a veteran stopgap, instead committing to developing 2023 second-round pick Will Levis while adding low-risk depth (like journeyman backup Mason Rudolph) to provide stability. Carthon’s strategy for Levis has been deliberate: pairing him with offensive coordinator Tim Kelly (hired for his ability to develop young quarterbacks), giving him reps in meaningful games to build confidence, and surrounding him with weapons (like re-signing wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to a team-friendly deal) to ease his transition. “Quarterback development is a marathon, not a sprint,” Carthon explained in a post-draft interview. “We’re not going to judge Will by one game or one season—we’re judging him by his growth, his work ethic, and his ability to learn from mistakes.” This patience has paid off: Levis showed significant improvement in 2024, reducing his interception rate by 30% and increasing his completion percentage to 62%, even as the team struggled to a 7-10 record. Carthon’s willingness to stick with Levis—despite external pressure to pursue a proven veteran—has sent a clear message about his commitment to the rebuild.

Ran Carthon's Vision Guides the Tennessee Titans Through Transition covers Carthon’s focus on organizational alignment, ensuring that every part of the Titans’ operation—from the coaching staff to the scouting department—works toward the same goals. One of his first moves as GM was to hire head coach Brian Callahan, a young offensive mind with a track record of developing quarterbacks (he worked with Joe Burrow in Cincinnati) and a shared philosophy of building through the draft. Carthon and Callahan have since built a coaching staff that prioritizes player development over short-term results, and they’ve restructured the scouting department to emphasize both data analytics and old-school tape study. “Alignment isn’t just about everyone agreeing—it’s about everyone understanding their role in the bigger picture,” Carthon said during a team meeting. For the Tennessee Titans, this alignment has reduced friction between the front office and coaching staff—a common issue in NFL franchises—and created a unified message for players. For example, when the team decided to limit Henry’s carries in the second half of 2024 to avoid injury, both Carthon and Callahan publicly explained the decision as part of “preparing for 2025 and beyond,” helping to manage fan expectations and keep the locker room focused. “Ran and I are on the same page about everything,” Callahan said. “That kind of trust makes it easier to make tough decisions, because we know we’re both working toward the same goal.”

Another layer of Ran Carthon's Vision Guides the Tennessee Titans Through Transition is Carthon’s handling of external expectations—balancing the desire of Titans fans for immediate success with the reality of a rebuild. Nashville has long been a football-crazy city, and the Titans’ 2019 AFC Championship run raised expectations that the team would remain a contender for years. When the Titans stumbled to 7-10 in 2024, fans and media questioned Carthon’s strategy, with some calling for a more aggressive approach. But Carthon stayed the course, using press conferences and team events to communicate his vision transparently. “I get it—no one likes losing,” he told a group of season-ticket holders in December 2024. “But if we rush this rebuild, we’ll end up right back where we started: chasing wins one season at a time, with no long-term plan. That’s not fair to you, the fans, or to this franchise.” He also leaned on community engagement—attending local high school football games, hosting fan forums, and partnering with Nashville-based charities—to strengthen the bond between the team and its supporters. For the Tennessee Titans, this transparency has helped maintain fan loyalty during a tough season, with season-ticket renewal rates remaining above 85%—a testament to Carthon’s ability to build trust. “Ran doesn’t just talk about the future—he shows us he’s working for it,” said longtime Titans fan Mike Johnson. “That makes it easier to be patient.”

Ran Carthon's Vision Guides the Tennessee Titans Through Transition wraps up with how Carthon’s vision is positioning the Titans for success in 2025 and beyond. Entering the offseason, the Titans have more than $50 million in salary-cap space (one of the top five totals in the NFL), a top-10 draft pick, and a core of young talent that includes Levis, Simmons, and wide receiver Treylon Burks. Carthon’s plan for the offseason is clear: use free agency to add depth at offensive line and edge rusher, draft a franchise cornerstone with the first-round pick (likely an offensive tackle or defensive end), and continue to develop Levis with a full offseason of work. “We’re not there yet, but we’re making progress,” Carthon said in a year-end press conference. “Every move we’ve made over the past two years has been building toward this moment—having the cap space, the draft picks, and the young talent to compete for championships.” What sets Carthon’s vision apart is its balance: he’s not sacrificing the future for the present, but he’s also not ignoring the need to be competitive in the short term. For the Tennessee Titans, this balance could be the key to emerging from transition as a legitimate AFC South contender. As one NFL executive put it: “Ran isn’t just building a team—he’s rebuilding a franchise. And if he stays true to his vision, the Titans will be back in the playoffs sooner than people think.” One thing is clear: under Ran Carthon’s guidance, the Tennessee Titans are no longer adrift in transition—they’re moving toward a future with purpose.