The Tennessee Titans sure are trying hard to make you like Ran Carthon | Estes

The “new” Tennessee Titans front office launched a public-relations campaign in the past week. By that, I mean they sat down and gave in-house interviews for the Titans to promote on their platforms, rather than to independent media covering the team.

An important distinction. I’d compare it to politicians who only speak to media outlets on their side of the aisle, thus they can stick to comfortable talking points without being challenged by tough questions. They decide what they want you to hear.

When Titans general manager Ran Carthon and newly promoted president of football operations Chad Brinker each spoke to the Official Titans Podcast, they wanted you to hear about how magnificent things are since Mike Vrabel was fired.

About a positive culture change in the facility. About a forward-thinking franchise that's leaping into the future with everyone on the same page. About the increased use of analytics in decision-making, an effort driven by Brinker, a “Moneyball” devotee, going back to when it was a book, not a movie.

Carthon explained why he didn't attend the Senior Bowl – he and podcast hosts defended that decision at length – and instead stayed back to help interview assistant coaches for Brian Callahan’s first staff.

And that Carthon guy, well, he's plum awesome.

Brinker wanted you to know that, too.

“He is a tremendous human being for the people that don’t know,” Brinker gushed. “I mean, he’s one of the best people to walk on this earth. He’s such a wonderful person. Everybody has been hearing about the relationship side of Ran. That’s real. I’ve never seen anything like it. I wish our fanbase – and the folks even in our own building – can work with him every day the way I get to."

Carthon has been with the Titans for a year. He's the most important person for the daily operations of Nashville's NFL team, and he's still being advertised and marketed by that team to its fans as if he just walked in the door.

Nothing against Brinker, but it’s irritating to be told through state-run media how you wish the public could get an unfiltered view of the Titans' GM – when the Titans have been the ones keeping Carthon from unfiltered settings for much of the past year.

Carthon has done one media availability since the start of the season. That was the day Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk fired Vrabel. Carthon was made to answer for Adams Strunk’s decision. A tough spot, and it didn’t go well. (Adams Strunk’s only interview post-firing was given to Titans radio announcer Mike Keith, because, of course, it was.)

Skepticism originates from moments like that press conference. Another was during last year's NFL Draft when Carthon lectured reporters for asking negative questions and ruining these prospects' draft nights. And then there's the fact that Adams Strunk didn’t feel comfortable initially giving Carthon sole authority over the roster. Or that Vrabel expressed reservations about Carthon as GM before he was hired. These are all red flags for Titans fans.

Now more than ever, those fans are looking for reasons to trust that Carthon has got this. But it's difficult to feel confident in his vision for the Titans when he still hasn't specified what it is.

When Carthon does speak publicly on big-picture topics, he does so carefully, using generalities instead of details. He'll defer to what coaches want or what Adams Strunk wants. He prefers "we" to "me." He likes a unified front: It's not just up to him. His heart may be in the right place, but it comes off insincere or evasive.

He’s the GM for an NFL franchise. It is up to him.

As Brinker's comment demonstrates, the post-Vrabel Titans have seemed quite concerned with trying to convince their fans about Carthon. In announcing his recent promotion, Adams Strunk said, "Ran Carthon makes the Tennessee Titans a destination for the league’s top talent."

Hyperbolic praise meant to sway public confidence can sometimes have the opposite effect. The more it happens with Carthon, the more it'll be fair to question why the Titans feel the need.

A brief aside, presented as a contrast: No one with the Nashville Predators is saying how they just wish you could see GM Barry Trotz in action. No need. Everyone sees it. Trotz’s impact couldn't be more obvious.

Has nothing to do with corporate buzzwords about culture and people being happy to go to work again. Warm and fuzzies are fine, but the Titans need a lot of heavy lifting.

They stunk last season because their players weren’t good enough. End of the day, that falls on the GM's desk.

Carthon is nonetheless still in a honeymoon period. It's as if coming off a redshirt year, because big, bad Vrabel cast such a large shadow. Blame gets attached to Vrabel now, much as Jon Robinson has been wearing it for a while, too. That's fine.

Most GMs would love to be where Carthon sits entering 2024. He’s getting to paint on a blank canvas. He’s got a mountain of salary-cap space at his disposal. He’s got a high NFL Draft spot. He’s got the owner in his corner. He’s got trusted and valued people, like Brinker, in key roles helping him. He’s got a new coach in Callahan who’ll be a strong partner, rather than an antagonist.

No excuses moving forward. Carthon has everything lined up for him.

“I do know we have the right GM,” Brinker told the Titans podcast. “Ran Carthon is going to do some great things.”

For now, Chad Brinker, I’ve got to take you at your word.

Reach Tennessean sports columnist Gentry Estes at gestes@tennessean.com and on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) @Gentry_Estes.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: The Tennessee Titans sure are trying hard to make you like Ran Carthon