Titans hire new executive VP for football operations, Chad Brinker's replacement – The Tennessean

The Tennessee Titans have announced the hire of veteran NFL executive Dave Gardi as their next executive vice president of football operations, filling the role recently vacated by former Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker.
“We’re thrilled to have Dave join us here in Nashville,” Titans GM Mike Borgonzi said in a statement on May 20. “He’s extremely respected around the NFL and brings a plethora of experience and valuable perspective, molded together by two decades at the league office, in addition to time on the club side of operations. Dave will make an immediate impact here with the Titans and we’re excited to welcome him and his family to Tennessee.”
Per the announcement, Gardi will oversee the departments of football administration, strategy, analytics, research, information systems, video, equipment, team operations and security. He will report directly to Borgonzi.
Prior to coming to Nashville, Gardi worked 21 years working for the NFL league office, including 10 as the NFL’s senior vice president of football operations. He spent the last two seasons as a senior vice president in the Washington Commanders organization.
Gardi, like Borgonzi, played college football at Brown. He’s previously been involved in helping oversee the NFL’s rulebook and advised teams on matters including contracts, the salary cap and league policies.
Brinker left the Titans after three-plus years in the front office following the 2026 NFL Draft. Brinker held the title of president of football operations and reported directly to controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk in 2025 before being shifted underneath Borgonzi in the franchise operation hierarchy in Jan. 2026.
Other top decision makers in the Titans front office below Borgonzi include assistant GM Dave Ziegler, football advisor Reggie McKenzie and vice president of player personnel Dan Saganey.
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at  nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.

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