The Tennessee Titans have hired Dave Gardi as Executive Vice President, Football Operations, the team announced on Wednesday. Gardi arrives in Nashville after spending the previous two seasons with the Washington Commanders as senior vice president of football initiatives, following a 21-year tenure at the NFL league office.
Under Tennessee’s new organizational structure, Gardi will report directly to general manager Mike Borgonzi. His responsibilities will include overseeing football administration, football strategy and analytics, football research, football information systems, video, equipment, team operations, and security.
The move comes weeks after former Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker stepped down from his position following the 2026 NFL Draft. Brinker had spent more than three years in Tennessee’s front office and underwent several title changes during the franchise’s restructuring. He reported directly to controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk in 2025 before the Titans reorganized their leadership hierarchy in January 2026, placing Borgonzi in control of the 53-man roster.
Gardi brings years of league experience to Tennessee. During his final 10 years at the NFL office, he served as senior vice president of football operations under commissioner Roger Goodell. In that role, he helped develop policies and procedures tied to competitive balance and game integrity while overseeing administration of league rules on gamedays. Earlier in his league career, Gardi advised NFL clubs on collective bargaining agreement matters, including player contracts, salary cap management, and league policies.
With the Commanders, Gardi worked closely with the coaching staff and front office on in-game management, officiating analysis, league compliance, and communication with the NFL office.
Gardi also shares a football background with Borgonzi, as both attended Brown University. A native of Sayville, New York, Gardi played quarterback at Brown and earned a political science degree before later receiving a law degree from Hofstra University.
The hire adds another experienced executive to a Titans leadership group that also includes assistant general manager Dave Ziegler, football advisor Reggie McKenzie, and vice president of player personnel Dan Saganey.
The Tennessee Titans have hired Dave Gardi as Executive Vice President, Football Operations, the team announced on Wednesday. Gardi arrives in Nashville after spending the previous two seasons with the Washington Commanders as senior vice president of football initiatives, following a 21-year tenure at the NFL league office.