Ran Carthon throws shade at Vrabel while introducing new Titans coach

Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Ran Carthon throws shade at Mike Vrabel while introducing new Titans coach

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 1/26/24

Despite weeks of downplaying the mere suggestion that Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon and former head coach Mike Vrabel weren’t on the same page about how best to build the team’s roster, it’s now becoming apparent there was, in fact, truth to the reports.

24 hours after Tennessee announced the hire of new head coach Brian Callahan and controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk issued an emphatic statement that Carthon was in charge, the 42-year-old executive seemingly took a shot at Vrabel while introducing Callahan to local media for the first time.

“One thing we keep talking about here with our group is hunting at the same time isn’t the same as hunting together,” Carthon said. “And under Brian Callahan, we will be going out and hunting together.”

“We’re going to hunt together.”

Callahan has no doubts he and GM Ran Carthon will be a great partnership. #Titans pic.twitter.com/TjMMLCCtxl
— 104-5 The Zone (@1045TheZone) January 25, 2024

Though his comments present the most minuscule of shade, given that Carthon even said it all is enough confirmation that he and Vrabel didn’t see eye to eye despite sharing a common goal.

The Athletic’s Dianna Rusinni and Joe Rexrode reported a few weeks ago that Vrabel actually didn’t believe Carthon was ready to be a GM when he was hired by the Titans last offseason, and he suggested they instead make him an assistant GM first.

In that same report, it was also revealed that Vrabel wanted full control over the Titans roster — something Adams Strunk was opposed to — and that his failure to accept Carthon’s new-age vision for the team ultimately led to his firing.

When Vrabel was the Titans head coach, there was no traditional hierarchy of authority. He and Carthon both reported to Adams Strunk, who had the final say on all decisions. Now, everyone’s role is clearly defined, and Carthon has been empowered to actually be a GM with no restrictions.

More must-reads: