NASHVILLE – With the Tennessee Titans hiring former Kansas City Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi to become the team's next General Manger, there are some essential questions that become top of mind.

Borgonzi was widely considered to be one of the top candidates being interviewed during this hiring cycle. All three teams with a GM vacancy were expressing interest. This is a big swing and that's something for Titans fans to celebrate. 

Packers executive Jon-Eric Sullivan was another finalist for the job. Given his friendship and history working with Chad Brinker, I was betting on Sullivan to be the Titans' GM. For 13 seasons, Sullivan and Brinker were colleagues in Green Bay’s scouting department. They were also morning workout buddies and have developed a good chemistry over time.

Sullivan has everything the Titans were looking for. He is a football guy with an extensive scouting background that is considered to be an elite talent evaluator. It seemed hard to believe that Brinker would turn away such a qualified candidate that also has a strong personal relationship with him.

So I couldn't help but wonder who within the Titans organization actually made the hire…

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Who made the hire?

Fortunately, sources have told AtoZ Sports that Chad Brinker made the choice to hire Borgonzi. Brinker wanted to keep an open mind during the interview process and consciously avoided making a "buddy hire" based on his preexisting relationships. 

Sullivan left his in-person interview with the Titans on Thursday not feeling convinced that he had the job, a source says. A different source also mentioned that Buffalo Bills executive Terrance Gray thought he was going to get the job when he finished his in-person interview.

This is all a really big testament for the Titans' hiring process this time around. Last time the organization was searching for a GM, Amy Adams Strunk chose Ran Carthon against the wishes of Mike Vrabel. That created a struggle for power that ultimately led to both of them being fired. 

Had ownership gone against Brinker's wishes to hire Borgonzi, we would be setting up for another murky power structure and dysfunctional set up. But instead, the hierarchy within Tennessee's front office has never been more clear. Chad Brinker made this hire and Chad Brinker has roster control. Borognzi will help inform the roster decisions that are made, but Brinker is ultimately the guy with final say. 

With the information and the endorsements of Borgonzi that have been sent my way, I'm feeling largely optimistic about Tennessee's new General Manager. 

New Titans GM Mike Borgonzi could make huge splash by attracting former Vols star to fix a desperate need in Tennessee

A perfect fit for the Titans and Mike Borgonzi.