Titans President Of Football Operations Chad Brinker Stepping Down
Titans President of Football Operations Chad Brinker is stepping down from his role, the team announced this evening. The 46-year-old spent the past three years in Tennessee’s front office.
“It has been an honor to serve as President of Football Operations of the Tennessee Titans,” Brinker said in his statement. “Over the years, I’ve understood and embraced my role as the leader of the football strategy, but as I’ve spent less time in personnel, I have a renewed conviction that it is time to return to what I love and move towards my next chapter. I’m grateful for Amy’s understanding in my decision, and for allowing me to pursue other opportunities.
“I’m proud of the work we’ve done over the past three years – under challenging circumstances – to begin the process of getting the Titans football organization back on track, not the least of which was last year’s general manager search. I believe the Titans have exceptional people and long-term stability at the general manager position and throughout the scouting department. While there is work to be done, I believe we’ve laid the foundation to restore the Titans to its rightful place as a sustainable, winning program.
“My family and I will always be grateful for Amy’s belief and trust in me, and for our time in Tennessee.”
Following a brief playing career that included a stint in NFL Europe, Brinker joined the Packers front office. He spent more than a decade with the organization, working his way up from a scouting intern to assistant director of pro scouting to eventually an administration executive gig.
Brinker left for the Titans in 2023, earning a promotion to assistant general manager under Ray Carthon. When the GM was ousted after only one season in Tennessee, Brinker was named the Titans president of football operations, a role in which he reportedly had full control of the team’s roster. The Titans website notes that he also reported directly to owner Amy Adams Strunk.
Brinker kept his title through the 2025 campaign, although the Titans did hire a true GM in Mike Borgonzi last offseason. Brian Callahan was fired six games into the regular season, and the two front office leaders were tasked with conducting a coaching search. The organization ultimately landed on Robert Saleh. Now only a few months into the head coach’s tenure, the team is seeing another significant change in leadership.
The Titans website notes that Brinker was widely credited with reshaping the organization’s analytic approach, and his apparent desire to return to “personnel” indicates that he wants a bit more from his front office role. Of course, there aren’t any teams reshaping their front offices at this point in the offseason, but perhaps Brinker could emerge as a GM candidate during next year’s cycle.
Saints Add 10 UDFAs
The Saints left the draft with eight rookies, and they’ve added 10 more players to their class. The team announced the signing of the following undrafted free agents:
- CJ Donaldson, RB (Ohio State)
- Cody Hardy, TE (North Carolina State)
- Alan Herron, OT (Maryland)
- Michael Heldman, DE (Central Michigan)
- DaShawn Jones, CB (Alabama)
- Jeremiah McClendon, CB (Southern Illinois)
- KeeShawn Silver, NT (USC)
- Mason Shipley, K (Texas)
- Jay’Viar Suggs, DT (Wisconsin)
- Alex Wollschlaeger, OT (Kentucky)
Alan Herron was among the UDFAs to earn a chunk of money from the Saints. According to ESPN’s Katherine Terrell, the Maryland offensive tackle got a $25K signing bonus and a total guarantee of $272.5K. After spending two years at Division II Shorter University, Herron joined Maryland ahead of the 2024 campaign. He struggled during his first season at the school but he improved his performance in 2025, earning him an All-Big Ten honorable mention.
After finishing his Texas State tenure as the school’s all-time leader in field goal percentage (88.6), Mason Shipley left for Texas in 2025. He finished this past year converting 20 of his 24 field goal attempts, with a season-long of 53 yards. Charlie Smyth didn’t run with the opportunity in 2025, as the rookie kicker made 12 of his 16 FG attempts for the Saints. Shipley should provide some competition at the kicker position, and the rookie could end up earning a roster spot with a strong summer showing.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/28/26
Today’s minor moves:
New England Patriots
- Released: RB Elijah Mitchell
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: TE Jaheim Bell
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: QB/WR John Rhys Plumlee
Vikings Sign 19 UDFAs
The Vikings had six UDFAs make at least 10 appearances in 2025 (WR Myles Price, LB Tyler Batty, LB Chaz Chambliss, OL Joe Huber, TE Ben Yurosek, LB Austin Keys). The team will be hoping for similar success in 2026, as Minnesota has added 19 undrafted free agents to their squad. The list includes:
- Marcus Allen, CB (North Carolina)
- Da’Veawn Armstead, CB (North Texas)
- Dillon Bell, WR (Georgia)
- Jordan Botelho, OLB (Notre Dame)
- Tyreek Chappell, CB (Texas A&M)
- Monkell Goodwine, DL (South Carolina)
- Shaleak Knotts, WR (Maryland)
- Keli Lawson, LB (UCF)
- Tristan Leigh, OL (Clemson)
- Delby Lemieux, OL (Dartmouth)
- Kejon Owens, RB (Florida International)
- Tomas Rimac, OL (Virginia Tech)
- Marcus Sanders Jr., WR (Georgia Southern)
- Cam’Ron Stewart, OLB (Temple)
- Jacob Thomas, S (James Madison)
- Brett Thorson, P (Georgia)
- Arden Walker, OLB (Colorado)
- Scooby Williams, LB (Texas A&M)
- Luke Wysong, WR (Arizona)
Of the 19 Vikings signings, four of them came at the wide receiver position. Georgia Southern’s Marcus Sanders Jr. is coming off the most productive 2025 campaign of the bunch, as the wideout hauled in 50 catches for 797 yards and five touchdowns. He entered the season having tallied only 35 catches through his first three collegiate seasons.
Luke Wysong is another intriguing addition. The receiver had a standout campaign at New Mexico in 2024, finishing with 840 receiving yards. However, his counting stats took a step back after he transferred to Arizona for the 2025 campaign, when he finished with only 278 receiving yards. Any of the UDFAs could push for a roster spot in a WRs room that lacks convincing depth behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Interestingly, the Vikings added one of college football’s top punters in Brett Thorson. The Georgia product is coming off a 2025 campaign where he earned the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation’s top player at the position. Thorson finished the campaign placing 23 punts inside the 20 while averaging 4.38 seconds of hang time. He’ll be joining a depth chart that’s currently led by Johnny Hekker. The veteran signed with the Vikings last month following a 2025 campaign in Tennessee that saw him average 40.3 net yards per punt.
Rams Add 18 UDFAs
The Rams only selected five players during this past weekend’s draft, but they’re not being shy about adding undrafted free agents to their squad. The team announced the signing of 18 UDFAs:
- Nick Andersen, S (Wake Forest)
- Wesley Bailey, OLB (Louisville)
- Austin Blaske, OL (North Carolina)
- Matthew Caldwell, QB (Texas)
- Dean Connors, RB (Houston)
- Nyzier Fourqurean, CB (Wisconsin)
- Al’zillion Hamilton, CB (Fresno State)
- Bryce Henderson, OL (Vanderbilt)
- Nikhai Hill-Green, ILB (Alabama)
- Rohan Jones, TE (Arkansas)
- Chad Lindberg, OL (North Carolina)
- Jalen Logan-Redding, DL (Minnesota)
- Jaxson Moi, DL (Tennessee)
- Drey Norwood, CB (Missouri)
- Darryl Peterson III, OLB (Wisconsin)
- Dan Villari, TE (Syracuse)
- Eddie Walls III, OLB (Houston)
- Peyton Zdroik, DL (Air Force)
The Rams had one of the most notable selections of the draft when they selected Alabama QB Ty Simpson, but the team wasn’t done adding players at the position, as the organization has brought in Texas signal caller Matthew Caldwell. The quarterback bounced around during his collegiate career, taking snaps at Jacksonville State, Gardner-Webb, Troy, and Texas. He got his most extended look while playing for the Trojans, as he finished that 2024 campaign completing 63.2 percent of his passes for 1,608 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He only had 11 pass attempts during his lone season with the Longhorns.
Houston’s Dean Connors could compete for a roster spot behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum on the RBs depth chart. Connors scored 21 touchdowns at Rice between 2023 and 2024 before transferring to Houston in 2025. He finished this past season with a career-high 977 rushing yards to go along with 254 receiving yards. He ultimately found the end zone nine times. He’ll be competing with the likes of Ronnie Rivers and Jarquez Hunter for a roster spot.
Nick Andersen is coming off back-to-back standout seasons at Wake Forest. The safety finished the 2024 campaign with 122 tackles, and he followed that up with 106 stops in 2025. Notably, he took his pass-rush and run-stopping ability to another level this past year, finishing with 6.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also finished with seven passes defended. Andersen will likely have to show some special teams prowess to make the initial 53, but he could get some run on defense should any veterans suffer injuries.
Cardinals Sign Seven UDFAs
The Cardinals had a relatively standard draft, as the organization left the weekend with seven rookies. The team has now doubled that rookie class by agreeing to deals with seven undrafted free agents. That grouping includes:
- Elijah Culp, CB (James Madison)
- Ka’ena De Cambra, OL (Arizona)
- Jameson Geers, TE (Minnesota)
- Cameron Robertson, OLB (SMU)
- Harrison Wallace III, WR (Mississippi)
- Damonic Williams, DL (Oklahoma)
- Wydett Williams Jr., S (Mississippi)
Harrison Wallace III got a significant chunk of money to join Arizona. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, the Ole Miss wideout got a $40K signing bonus and $247.5K in salary for a total of $287.5K in guaranteed money. Following a breakout campaign with Penn State in 2024, Wallace took his production to another level during his lone season with the Rebels. The receiver hauled in 57 catches for 894 yards and four touchdowns. He’ll be competing for a spot on a depth chart that includes free agent acquisition Kendrick Bourne and rookie fifth-round pick Reggie Virgil.
Wilson also passed along financials on Ka’ena De Cambra‘s deal with the Cardinals, noting that the offensive lineman earned a $5K signing bonus along with having $50K of his base salary guaranteed. After starting his collegiate career at Hawaii, De Cambra spent the 2025 campaign at Arizona, where he appeared in 12 games. The Cardinals only used one pick on the offensive line this past weekend, selecting Mississippi’s Jayden Williams in the seventh round.
Wydett Williams Jr. may have the best shot of the UDFA class to make the 53-man roster. Budda Baker is fully entrenched atop the depth chart at strong safety, but former UDFA Kitan Crawford represents the only depth behind him. Williams is coming off a standout season at Ole Miss where he compiled 73 stops, three interceptions, and 10 passes defended.
Texans Targeting OL Prospects
The Texans have been active reshaping their offensive line this offseason, and they may not be done. ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime expects the team to target linemen in the draft, with the writer citing Houston’s desire for “young, cost-effective talent.”
The Texans were quick to revamp the unit after the 2025 campaign. They first moved on from longtime starter Tytus Howard and former second-rounder Juice Scruggs before adding veterans Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller to the roster. The two new additions will be penciled into the starting lineup, adding to the three holdovers from last year.
2025 second-round pick Aireontae Ersery will continue at LT, while 2025 newcomers center Jake Andrews and guard Ed Ingram are expected to retain their starting spots. Houston even has Trent Brown for some experienced tackle depth. However, Bien-Aime notes the team still needs some long-term solutions at both center and guard. Considering Smith’s deal is for only two years, the Texans also wouldn’t shy away from an OT prospect.
Armed with the No. 28 pick and two second-round selections (No. 38, No 59), the Texans could be in prime position to find at least one long-term option for the OL. ESPN’s Jordan Reid points to Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor and Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge as “names to circle” for Houston.
Iheanachor started each of the past two seasons on the Sun Devil offensive line, culminating in him earning a second-team All-Big 12 nod this past year. While he isn’t considered among the draft’s top offensive tackle prospects, he may be the best of the second tier. He would be a logical target for the Texans at No. 38. Similarly, Rutledge is among the second tier of guard prospects and could be an option at No. 59. The prospect earned a first-team All-American selection this past season following a standout showing with the Yellow Jackets.
Falcons Expected To Target DTs, WRs During Draft
As Ian Cunningham prepares for his first draft as Falcons general manager, he may be zeroing in on positions on both sides of the ball. As ESPN’s Jordan Reid writes, the Falcons have been connected to both defensive tackles and wide receivers.
Reid notes that the organization has done “an extensive amount of work” on defensive tackles. This isn’t a huge surprise as the Falcons ranked 24th against the run in 2025, and they lost their positional snaps leader in David Onyemata via free agency. While Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus provide the position grouping with a bit of experience, it only makes sense for the team to pursue some upside at the position during next week’s draft.
Of course, thanks to a trade with the Rams during last year’s draft that netted them James Pearce, the Falcons are currently operating without a first-round selection, meaning their first opportunity to add a DT would be at No. 48. Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald and Clemson’s Peter Woods surely won’t be on the board at that point, but the organization could look to the likes of Florida’s Caleb Banks or Georgia’s Christen Miller.
While wide receiver may not be the most apparent need for the Falcons, there is some merit to adding to the position. Drake London will continue leading the group, but the team has some question marks elsewhere on the depth chart. Darnell Mooney and David Sills are no longer in the building, with the Falcons adding Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus in their place. However, neither of those additions should prevent the front office from pursuing additional reinforcements at the position, and Reid notes that the Falcons have made it known that desire a “field stretcher”.
While there’s a long list of talented WRs in this year’s draft, the Falcons will likely miss out on the top-tier at the position. Still, they could be in position to pounce on one of the second-tier wideouts, including Georgia’s Zachariah Branch, Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell, and Alabama’s Germie Bernard. Reid also points to North Dakota State’s Bryce Lance as a potential target for the organization.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/14/26
Today’s minor moves:
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed ERFA tender: RB Kimani Vidal
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed ERFA tender: DE Jalen Redmond
With Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris both suffering injuries, Kimani Vidal unexpectedly led the Chargers in rushing attempts in 2025. The former sixth-round pick ended up having a productive sophomore season, finishing with 779 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns. The Chargers did bring in Keaton Mitchell this offseason, but Vidal should still have a role on the team in 2026.
Jalen Redmond caught on with the Vikings ahead of the 2024 season and got some limited run on defense, but he emerged as a foundational piece in 2025. The defensive end ended up starting 15 of his 17 appearances this past year, finishing with 62 tackles and six sacks. Pro Football Focus was especially fond of his performance, ranking him 20th among 127 qualifying interior defenders in 2025.
Packers Eyeing Cornerback Prospects?
While the Packers have Keisean Nixon leading their cornerbacks, the team is still motivated to add to the grouping. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky believes the front office will be active pursuing the position in the draft, writing that it wouldn’t be a surprise “if the Packers pick more than one” cornerback.
As Demovsky notes, general manager Brian Gutekunst isn’t afraid to use multiple picks on a single position; just last year, the team used first- and third-round selections on the wide receiver position (Matthew Golden, Savion Williams). As the Packers continue to seek “effective” players who could play alongside Nixon, the draft would provide the best opportunity.
Of course, since the Packers are operating without a first-round pick thanks to the Micah Parsons trade, the team will surely miss out on the best prospects at the position. ESPN’s Matt Miller adds that the team has been “widely connected” to the second tier of cornerback prospects, and they could jump at a target with the No. 52 pick. Miller points to San Diego State’s Chris Johnson as a player who has “plenty of fans” within Green Bay’s scouting department.
Nixon has emerged as an elite starter for the Packers, but the team has question marks elsewhere on the depth chart. Former seventh-round pick Carrington Valentine got an extended look at the position in 2025, but Pro Football Focus only ranked him 58th among 112th qualifying cornerbacks. The front office did bring in Benjamin St-Juste via free agency, but the team is otherwise eyeing an inexperienced group at the position.
While the Packers may be able to expect an eventual starter with their second-rounder, any subsequent selections would represent speculative picks. The front office owns only one other top-100 pick (No. 84), so they may have to get creative if they hope to leave the draft with more than one intriguing piece at the position.