Just hours after the Tennessee Titans fired head coach Mike Vrabel, general manager Ran Carthon spoke to the media in a press conference to discuss the move.
One of the common themes in early reports about Vrabel and the Titans possibly parting ways centered around a rift between he and Carthon.
Tennessee’s general manager said that was not the case and the two were on the same page.
“Mike and I we never had any issue,” Carthon said, per Teresa M. Walker of the Associated Press. “We worked well together and had a good relationship. We were in lockstep. I want to finally come out and dispel that.”
When asked why the Titans fired Vrabel, Carthon didn’t give an exact answer and instead cited owner Amy Adams Strunk’s statement.
As for why Mike Vrabel was fired, Ran Carthon says owner Amy Adams Strunk spoke to that, regarding her vision for the long-term future. https://t.co/9ZSji2QfWD
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2024
If you were hoping for a ton of information from Carthon, you’re going to be disappointed. Here’s a look at what else he said on Tuesday.
Opening statement
Carthon opening statement touches on what he says was a good personal and professional relationship with Vrabel: pic.twitter.com/lMelqjJ7MH
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) January 9, 2024
On making decisions with Vrabel
#Titans GM Carthon: Every decision we made this season was unanimous — between he and Vrabel — including switching QBs, firing of Aukerman.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) January 9, 2024
On not trading Vrabel
Carthon said that league mandates and rules were involved regarding a potential trading of Mike Vrabel. Said #Titans would have had to have an opening before they could begin the process, and trading Vrabel would have set them back.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) January 9, 2024
On finding the next head coach
#Titans GM Carthon: We'll run an exhaustive process to find next HC. Will involve me, Strunk … Want to make sure we get the right people in here.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) January 9, 2024
#Titans GM Ran Carthon: There are some coaching candidates out there I have a relationship with, so we'll have more folks involved in the hiring process to have an unbiased view
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) January 9, 2024
#Titans GM Ran Carthon on the process of finding the franchise’s next head coach. pic.twitter.com/Mz67e6xn8Z
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) January 9, 2024
On the offensive line
Carthon: Offensive line is an area where we didn't play well. We have to improve that and we will.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) January 9, 2024
Carthon said the OL group could have played better if it stayed healthy. But said they didn't go into it feeling settled.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) January 9, 2024
Ran Carthon on #Titans’ OL failures. pic.twitter.com/2HYT41LqYj
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) January 9, 2024
On Levis and the next head coach
Carthon on new coach working with Levis: We are not going to make our whole search about Will Levis. there are other players who have to be coached. But we will bring someone in who is seasoned and willing to work with Levis.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) January 9, 2024
On not talking after Kevin Byard trade
Carthon said he wasn't out front on the Kevin Byard trade because Vrabel had the deeper relationship with Byard.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) January 9, 2024
On taking the blame for 2023
Ran Carthon: I'm one of the piecs in the talent acquisition part. I wholeheartedly take a lot of the blame. #Titans
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) January 9, 2024
On not talking to the media much
Ran Carthon on hiding from the press. #Titans. pic.twitter.com/mO54QGjPAM
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) January 9, 2024
On injury issues
#Titans GM Ran Carthon: We have to figure out about the injuries, and why we've had so many. … Will examine as we go through this process
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) January 9, 2024
On the current coaching staff
#Titans GM Ran Carthon: Guys on current coaching staff will be evaluated by new head coach, and a decision will be made on whether they're retained. Hope the new head coach will consider some of them, because we have some good assistants
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) January 9, 2024
On Peter Skoronski staying at LG
#Titans GM Carthon: Re not shifting Skoronski outside this year, the goal was to have him at LG … Didn't want to disrupt the momentum he had going … But Carthon doesn't necessarily rule out giving Skoronski a look at LT at some point.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) January 9, 2024
Ran Carthon was on board with Peter Skoronski staying at LG. #Titans pic.twitter.com/lJJYqSWmP5
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) January 9, 2024
On team vision
#Titans GM Ran Carthon: We'll be able to give you a definition of our vision moving forward when we hire a new head coach
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) January 9, 2024
Ran Carthon does not want publicly share the #Titans vision for the future at this time.
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) January 9, 2024
On potential for Derrick Henry to return
Carthon says door never closed on Henry’s return: pic.twitter.com/v6uHRJJBaC
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) January 9, 2024
