The Titans are adding two more candidates to their search for a new general manager, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones: Seahawks senior director of player personnel Matt Berry and Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham.
Berry has been with the Seahawks since 2008, advancing through the scouting ranks before reaching his current position. The Seahawks have been one of the most consistent successful teams in the draft over the last 15 years, with especially strong classes in the last few years.
Cunningham interviewed with the Titans during their last GM search in 2023 after his first year as under Ryan Poles in Chicago. Cunningham has a strong pedigree with more than a decade of front office experience between the Ravens and the Eagles, who consistently drafted well and made the playoffs in his tenure. After Cunningham did not beat out Adam Peters for the Commanders’ GM job last year, the Bears awarded him an extension. Cunningham was believed to have been offered the Cardinals’ GM job in 2023; he turned it down.
The fourth-year Bears exec also has a relationship with Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker, who is leading the team’s GM hiring process, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. With three seasons as assistant GM under his belt, Cunningham could be a finalist for the gig in Tennessee this time around.
The Bears are holding Cunningham out of their head coaching interviews as he seeks a GM job with another team, per Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. The team is open to including Cunningham in the process once it is confirmed he is staying in Chicago, however.
The interview requests bring the Titans’ search to nine candidates:
- Matt Berry, senior director of player personnel (Seahawks): Interview requested
- Mike Borgonzi, assistant general manager (Chiefs): Interview requested
- Ian Cunningham, assistant general manager (Bears): Interview requested
- Thomas Dimitroff, former general manager (Falcons): To interview
- Ed Dodds, assistant general manager (Colts): Interview requested
- Terrance Gray, vice president of player personnel (Bills): Interview requested
- Catherine Hickman, assistant general manager (Browns): Interview requested
- Reggie McKenzie, senior personnel executive (Dolphins): Interview requested
- John Spytek, assistant general manager (Buccaneers): Interview requested
For a second, I thought, “Damn, ESPN’s killing it this interview cycle.”
Matt Berry, of The IT Crowd fame?