Tom Brady’s NFL career was defined by unparalleled focus and a relentless drive to become the greatest quarterback in history. Over 23 seasons, he achieved that lofty goal, cementing his legacy as the sport’s most successful signal-caller. Yet, since his retirement, Brady’s post-playing ventures have been marked by a strikingly different approach—one that appears scattered and inconsistent compared to the laser focus of his playing days. While dabbling in various fields such as sports broadcasting, crypto promotion, chimney construction, and even dog cloning, Brady’s role as a key figure in the Las Vegas Raiders’ football operations stands out as a high-stakes endeavor that demands far more than occasional attention. Unfortunately for the Raiders, this is where Brady’s post-retirement focus seems to be lacking, contributing to the franchise’s ongoing struggles.
The Raiders’ recent performance has been nothing short of dismal. After a humiliating 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns, the team’s record fell to 2-9, underscoring just how far the franchise has fallen. This wasn’t just a loss—it was a comprehensive beatdown by a Browns team fielding a rookie quarterback making his first NFL start. The Raiders’ offense was anemic, averaging just 2.9 yards per play before garbage time in the fourth quarter, while quarterback Geno Smith was sacked 10 times and pressured 46 times—both season highs against any team this year. Defensively, the Raiders offered little resistance, allowing big plays to a Cleveland offense that has otherwise been inconsistent all season.
Ironically, Brady was not even present to witness the debacle firsthand, as he was in Dallas working as a Fox commentator for the Eagles-Cowboys game. This absence highlights the paradox of Brady’s involvement with the Raiders: while he holds significant influence over football decisions, his physical presence and hands-on leadership are noticeably lacking, raising questions about the efficacy of his role.
Brady’s involvement with the Raiders officially began in 2024 when he became a minority owner and took charge of major football decisions. Despite it being only one season under his stewardship, the impact has been profound and largely negative. The offseason moves overseen by Brady have backfired spectacularly, leaving the Raiders as arguably the most dysfunctional and unwatchable team in the NFL. This was not meant to be a prolonged rebuild. The hiring of Pete Carroll—a 74-year-old coach with a distinguished resume that includes both a Super Bowl and a college national championship—was supposed to jump-start the team’s return to competitiveness and lay a solid foundation for the future. Instead, Carroll faces the prospect of being a one-and-done coach, with the Raiders heading towards yet another rebuilding phase.
Of course, Brady isn’t solely to blame. Majority owner Mark Davis has long been criticized for his rapid-fire turnover of coaches and executives—seven head coaches and five general managers in 15 years, a level of instability that makes the New York Jets’ infamous churn look tame. This revolving door has severely undermined any coherent long-term strategy. However, it’s clear that this particular iteration of the Raiders bears Brady’s distinct imprint. NFL insiders have noted that this is very much “the Tom Brady show,” with Carroll himself acknowledging Brady’s deep involvement at his introductory press conference.
Brady’s key personnel decisions have largely failed to deliver. He appointed John Spytek, a college friend and former colleague from Tampa Bay, as general manager. The roster construction followed Carroll’s preferences, including trading a third-round pick for Geno Smith and selecting a running back at sixth overall despite a glaringly weak offensive line. Brady also brought in Chip Kelly from the college ranks as the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the NFL, only to see Kelly fired after just one season following Sunday’s loss to the Browns. Additionally, the offensive line—crucial to both the running and passing game—has been entrusted to Carroll’s son, a decision that has not yielded positive results.
The 2023 Raiders were a four-win team but showed flashes of grit and competitiveness. This year, however, the squad is a confused mess. Carroll’s defensive schemes seem outdated, Smith looks past his prime, and the offensive line’s porous play has stifled running back Ashton Jeanty and the ground game. The expected injection of energy and vitality from Carroll has not materialized; rather, the team appears lifeless, counting down the plays until the final whistle.
The contrast with the