Chiefs GM Announces 1st Exit of 2025 as Travis Kelce Sends Message to Patrick Mahomes & Andy Reid Before Texans Clash

The Chiefs dynasty has been built on some strong shoulders. From Andy Reid as HC to Brett Veach as GM, to the superstar power of Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes, all worked in tandem to finally break their 50-year Super Bowl drought in 2019. But apart from those in the limelight, there are others who have contributed significantly to this success and one such important cog in the Chiefs juggernaut is on the move to new pastures.

Andy Reid’s arrival at Arrowhead saw a whirlwind of changes in the team that was underachieving for the most part. He went about changing the culture of the team, gradually setting them on the path to their eventual success. While Reid was doing the cleanup, another member of the franchise was climbing the ladder at the organization- Mike Borgonzi.

In 2013, the same year when Reid was appointed as the Chiefs HC, Borgonzi went from pro personnel scout to the Assistant director of pro scouting. Having started his career with the NFL side as a College scouting administrator, Borzonghi became a key member of the team that would win four AFC championships and three Super Bowls. No surprise then that the Tennesse Titans identified Borgonzi as a standout candidate to be their next general manager.

Ahead of a crunch divisional round game against the Texans, Chiefs GM Brett Veach confirmed that Borgonzi, who was serving as the franchise’s assistant general manager for the last three years, has been snapped up by the Titans on a five-year contract. A tweet by senior NFL Albert Breer talked about Veach’s feelings about his right-hand man leaving for Tennessee.

Breer tweeted, “Chiefs GM Brett Veach on his right-hand man Mike Borgonzi landing the Titans GM job, via text: “Long-time coming—one of the hardest-working guys in the business. Tennessee made the right choice.” There is little doubt about that last part.

A college fullback at Brown University, Mike Borgonzi donned several hats for the Chiefs across his 16-year tenure in Kansas City. He arrived there in 2009 as the college scouting administrator and within a year moved to the role of the manager of football operations. He was already a pro personnel scout for two years in 2011 and 2012 when Brett Veach came to the franchise as a pro and college personnel analyst.

Borgonzi helped the GM navigate the 2013 and 2014 drafts as an assistant director of pro scouting. Across 2015 and 2016, they developed a bond by being the co-directors of player personnel. In 2018, Mike learned the different aspects of the trade as the director of football operations. But he and Brett Veach started their closest journey together in 2021 when Borgonzi became the assistant general manager.

While Veach remained the main man over draft matters, Borgonzi contributed significantly to the current Chiefs dynasty scouting talents like Trey Smith, Isiah Pacheco, Nick Bolton, and Creed Humphrey. His background as a pro scout played a big role as the Chiefs added marquee free agents, trades, and other roster machinations. The Titans are getting a man who knows how to build a winning roster and that’s what the Titans owner had in mind when making the move.

Highlighting Borgonzi’s impressive championship-winning resume, Amy Adams Strunk said, “It’s the type of standard I want to build here in Tennessee. I know we have a lot of work ahead of us, and I’m excited for Mike to get started.” Having interviewed 10 candidates, with six of those in person, it turns out Borgonzi’s experience and vision left an impact.

 

Titans President of Football Operations Chad Brinker, who will be paired with Borzongi said, “During our meetings, he articulated a clear plan to build a championship standard in Nashville through consistency, discipline, and hard work. I’ve admired him for many years and I’m thrilled to add him to the team as our general manager.”

Borgonzi will bring a wealth of experience and will have a say in whom the Titans pick in their No. 1 overall draft pick. This is something he proved to be quite adept at with the Chiefs.

He was able to contribute to various draft classes, especially during his two promotions as player personnel in 2015 and director of football operations in 2018. Over the span of those two promotions, he helped the Chiefs develop into one of the league’s most consistent contenders, setting the base for their dominance.

Patrick Mahomes and star defensive tackle Chris Jones were drafted by the Chiefs while Borgonzi was the team’s director of player personnel. In his most recent role at the organization as the assistant general manager, he has already laid the foundations for further success. In August, he opened up about the role recent draft classes have played in sustaining the team’s long-term success.

“The last few years, I think we’ve done a good job in the draft adding talent. These guys are playing right away — [and] going into their second and third seasons now. When you draft well, you don’t have to bring in so many guys from the outside,” he said. Chiefs’ second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia and fourth-round pick Jaden Hicks seem to be the guys that they will hope to carry the team into their next era of success.

This is something the Titans will hope Borgonzi is able to build in Tennessee as Brinker sounded a confident man.

“He’s literally thought through everything you could possibly think through as a general manager. He’s mapped out the entire plan from everything he believes in, which is the same thing we believe in here, the draft, develop, and retain model.” It took the Titans 10 days to replace Ran Carthon, who was fired after a 9-25 record in his two seasons as GM.

With the franchise now on a three-season losing run, Borgonzi will have his work cut out. But with an approximate $55 million in projected salary cap space, combined with the top pick among eight current draft selections, there is room for the new Titans GM to build a side that can

Meanwhile, the Chiefs have little time to think about other business, as they are just hours away from touching down for the first time this post-season, against the Texans. One super successful draft pick that Borgonzi may have had a direct hand in has a message to motivate his squad.

Travis Kelce’s powerful message to Brett Veach’s HC and players

Travis Kelce was the second pick (3rd round, 63rd overall) of Brett Veach and Andy Reid in the 2013 NFL Draft. After winning 3 Super Bowls and 4 All-Pro selections in 11 seasons, he has plenty to rest on once he retires. But he’s still ready to give his all.

Highlighting the significance of the post-season, the TE said, “Playoff football is the most meaningful football that you’ll ever play in your life. I cherish every single play. I really do. When you’re in it, you’re always trying to strive for greatness. You know, obviously, there’s a historic run and something that we can achieve that no other team has ever achieved. The biggest thing is being able to control the emotions of the game. It’s your dream. It’s everybody’s goals and aspirations that you’re playing for at this point.”

The comments might have some questioning whether he’s somewhat considering his future on the field. Coming at a time when rumor mills have started churning rumors that this season could be his last. This message is also a rallying call to Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and Co. No one dare step on the field thinking of anything less than winning the Super Bowl.

Kelce has backed his words with his performance so far this season. Along the way, he has set some new records. In the week 4 game against the Chargers, he became the player with the most receptions for the Chiefs, breaking Tony Gonzalez‘s record of 916. In the week 14 game… also against the Chargers, he became the fastest player to cross 12,000 receiving yards, in 172 games. On Christmas, against the Steelers, he set a new Chiefs receiving TDs record by crossing Tony Gonzalez’ record of 77. Can he help Kansas register the first ever 3-peat in NFL history?

Brett Veach would also love to be the GM that makes that history. It will be quite spectacular. Meanwhile, the Titans will hope Borgonzi can pull another Kelce out the hat in this year’s draft.