PALM BEACH — Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi is a popular figure this week at the NFL's Annual Meeting. Tennessee, owners of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, could select Miami quarterback Cam Ward, trade out, or any number of other options.

Borgonzi's taking his time through the process with just over three weeks until the first round takes place on April 24. 

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Speaking with Borgonzi officially for the first time since February's Scouting Combine on The Buck Reising Show, a variety of different topics were broached. The Titans signed 11 external free agents, while retaining four of their own who were set to hit the market. Borgonzi, coach Brian Callahan have attended Ward's pro day, among others, and are set to collectively hold a private workout in Boulder, CO. with quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver / defensive back Travis Hunter. 

Here is our full conversation:

Titans GM Mike Borgonzi discusses Miami QB Cam Ward and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft

Buck Reising: Are you tired of being the belle of the ball yet? 

Mike Borgonzi: No, I'm glad we're getting closer to the draft. You can say that.

BR: As you work through the pre-draft process and everything that's involved with a week like this, free agency was a huge hurdle for you guys to get done. 11 free agents brought in. You retained four different guys who were getting ready to or had contracts expire, and true to your word you stuck to the building through the trenches. Is this kind of what the rebuilt version of the Titans offensive line is going to look like?

MB: Yeah, I think so. We have a lot of work to do in terms of building the depth throughout the line, but I think, like I said from the beginning, I want to start to build the trenches. [We got] Dan (Moore) and Kevin (Zeitler) in there to fill those spots and, you know, JC (Latham) is gonna move to the right. So we feel good about the starting five, right now. But we're going to continue to build depth along the line – that's going to be important both on the offense and defensive line. I think we've filled some needs ahead of the draft. We still have a lot of work to do in terms of, you know, filling starter roles and building depth on the roster, but I feel pretty good [about] where we're at right now.

BR: The value proposition of Dan alone kind of allowing you to address two of those positions. How important was that, in particular, to be able to slide? JC, is that a more natural position for your guys perspective?

MB: I think so. You know, we all did JC coming out of college at right tackle and he played left tackle last year. He was fine, but I think more natural on the right. We had an opportunity to bring in a veteran who's played four years at left tackle in the league. He's young, he's durable. There's things that Dan has to clean up and he will. I think he's still improving as a player. So we feel good about that.

BR: You want to be better than league average, obviously, but just to get to a place where it could be operational, not, you know, kind of undoing, as much as you guys are trying to accomplish, what they've been trying to accomplish on offense is what's kind of the bar there?

MB: I think Dan brings in that ability to play left tackle. He's done it and then moving JC to the right, I think, gives us some stability right now. We're not done trying to improve the line by any means. not the worst set, but I think we're able to build a little bit of stability here. So now we have the starting five that we can line up with and then continue to build that depth. I think it's an important piece for where we are going forward with that offensive line.

BR: On the opposite side, the defensive line, how much do you guys still continue to need to do work? Adding some pieces on the edge in particular.

MB: We do. We certainly have to add a few more interior guys and some edge guys, in particular. So, that's going to be an area of focus for us. Like I said, you know, building up the offensive line and defensive line is a top priority for us. We certainly have a lot more work to do on the defensive line, as well.

BR: The quarterback room. How did you guys go about the process of weighing pros and cons, of well, understanding you guys have the No. 1 overall pick. A lot of people connecting you to quarterbacks in the draft, but looking at some of what was available out there, ultimately bringing in Brandon (Allen) and Tim (Boyle) to compete with Will (Levis). How did that kind of play itself out?

MB: Yeah, we went through, you know, the auctions in free agency at quarterback, and, you know, we felt good about Brandon's experience with Brian in Cincinnati. Knows the offense, you know, it's been a really good back-up for a while. Young quarterback and Will is still growing, and then bringing Tim who has some quality back-up years. So, you know, just going through the process evaluating the free agent quarterbacks as well as the college quarterbacks, you know, we felt good. 

BR: Going to Cam Ward's Pro Day and the Miami Pro Day, I know it kind of turns into the Cam Ward Pro day for (media), but what were you able to learn in the private workout versus what you got in pro day?

MB: Our coaches are in control of the script at the Miami workouts. He did very well there, but just going doing the private workout, you know, gives us the ability to maybe run some different see some different throws, run some different routes for him to make completions, and tweak little things like footwork and see how he responds to it. So that's the benefit, really, of having your coaches involved in the workout, just wanting to see things that, from our standpoint, maybe we do in our offense, some footwork stuff that we wanted to see, respond to that.

BR: And what was one thing you learned about (Ward) from the coaching staff down there, whether it's Coach (Mario) Cristobal, or any of the support staff down there that you maybe didn't know prior to getting down to Coral Gables and kind of learning more about him, other than due diligence.

MB: Obviously, you know just seeing him around his teammates, seeing how they interact. Everything you heard from him down there was that he is a leader, you can kind of see that you can feel that receivers, how they respond to him. And just the camaraderie that those guys have with them. I think it's important to see that in-person.

BR: I know he told you and Chad (Brinker) that he was solidifying it that day. I know you guys are obviously keeping your options open, or as much as you can at this point in time, and still have to go to the Colorado Pro Day and private work out there. For for you and Chad in particular, what's been kind of the division of labor and how you've approached free agency versus the free draft process and contract negotiation versus fielding calls from other teams? What does that kind of look like? 

MB: Yeah, you know, we work in tandem. There's a lot of things that during the day where, you know, Chad takes off my plate, where I can just watch a free agent's film or travel and kind of deal with it and allows me to continue to watch film. We're in all the decision-making, whether it's contracts or guys we're bringing in. It's very similar to, really, when I was in Kansas City. We had the same kind of setup, really, with our people there in operations and administration and scouting, we all kind of work together. So, you know, for me, I've known Chad for a long time, and so, you know, we're a team at a day, and we work well together. 

BR: None of this is probably totally seamless, but for you, there's a level of comfort because of that familiarity that you talked about, that previous relationship that goes back in the decade I think you mentioned, and that has allowed you to operate as best you can, even though it's still a, technically a new job, even though you done all these jobs. 

Mike Borgonzi's relationship with Titans President of Football Operations Chad Brinker

MB: I think it helped because we have a lot of same philosophies. I talked about that my press conference, just in terms of how we evaluate players and how we how we build a team. I think with drafts and develop and solidify the office line, defensive line is a big priority for us. So I think it's helped because I've known Chad for a long time. We've always had a good working relationship, and then we have the same philosophy, which helps.

BR: The (L'Jarius) Sneed trade that you and Chad were obviously a big part of… Sounds like he's going to be working through the rehabilitation process right now, and sounds like he's going to be at least ready for training camp. Understanding he has a management plan. How, how much of how interested were you in continuing to work with Sneed as part of this job? And what does he bring at his best? 

MB: Very interested. We came to a point Kansas City where we wanted to keep all the good players. Got a few salar cap restrictions, so I'm very excited to work with LJ again. What he brings to the table is, you know, he's a competitive player on the field. He's long, he's able to play press, he's able to play zone. And just that you know, last year in Kansas City. We traveled him with top receivers, you know, so that's what I expect. We'll get him healthy here this year  and you know what he can do. Very excited.

BR: Brian and Chad are not going to the Colorado Pro Day. Specifically, they're going to be a part of the private workout. Denard Wilson…How important is it for Denard to be a part of the pro day process and kind of get eyes on Travis Hunter?

MB: I think that that's important, you know? I think certainly we've spent enough time with Travis and he's worked out. Sometimes, you know, certain positions you really want to know like quarterback, to see them throw live. With Travis, we've seen enough game tape. The important part of the process with Travis to me is to bring him in the building, get him up on the board and all that stuff. So we've accomplished that.

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BR: For all the different things that you've been asked a lot of the same questions, basically, since you took the job. What is the thing that people have over-fixated on that's kind of surprised you with the way that people have talked about you guys?

MB: There's a lot of options on the table. So I don't know if it's over-fixated. I know people say you can stay there or trade back. I get it. We're going through that whole process. So, I don't know if they really fixated on anything. I expect that when you have an overall pick, there's curiosity. And I understand it.

BR: For the option of any potential trade that teams might approach you with, what would it cost to get to that spot this year in particular?

MB: I don't want to say like a particular cost on it but I mean, if you have the No. 1 pick, obviously, you're trading up for the best player in the draft. We're going to expect a big haul for that draft pick. So, that's our expectations.

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Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.