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Tom Brady committed over two decades to a unwavering mission: establishing himself as the most accomplished QB in NFL history. He achieved that dream. Today, in his post-playing career, Brady has explored various endeavors. He works as a commentator for a major network. He's engaged in development ventures in the UK. He has endorsed cryptocurrency. He's expanding American football to Saudi Arabia. He operates a successful YouTube channel. He replicated his dog. Brady's retirement ventures appear either diverse or unfocused, depending on your perspective.

Secondary ventures are understandable. But managing a NFL team is hardly a casual commitment. In addition to his other roles, Brady functions as the de facto decision-maker for the Raiders, presently the least successful team in the league.

The Raiders fell to 2–9 on Sunday after enduring a decisive loss to the Browns. The Raiders didn't just get defeated; they were embarrassed by a struggling team with a quarterback making his first NFL start. The Raiders' offensive unit averaged 2.9 yards per play before meaningless plays in the fourth quarter. Their quarterback was tackled 10 times and faced pressure 46 times, a single-game high for any team this season. On the defensive side, Las Vegas surrendered big plays to a Cleveland offense that has been ineffective for the majority of the campaign. Any way you slice it, it was a comprehensive beatdown. Fortunately Brady didn't have to witness it. The architect of this current situation was sitting in Dallas on the Fox broadcast for Eagles-Cowboys.

A Series of Dubious Choices

In fairness to Brady, he has only spent one season leading the team's football decisions, after becoming a minority owner of the organization in 2024. But he was responsible for every major decision last offseason, and all of them has backfired. Those moves have resulted in the Raiders as the least entertaining and directionless franchise in the NFL.

This wasn't expected to be a lengthy reconstruction. The Raiders didn't hire 74-year-old Pete Carroll, among a select group to win both a championship and a NCAA title, to oversee a protracted process back up the standings. He was supposed to return the team to relevance and then hand them off with a solid foundation in place. Instead, Carroll is facing the possibility of being fired after one season in Vegas, and the Raiders are looking at another reboot.

Organizational Turmoil

This is not entirely Brady's responsibility, naturally. Mark Davis is still the majority owner. Davis has cycled through coaches and front-office heads at a rate that would make even the New York Jets blush. The Raiders are on their seventh head coach and fifth general manager in 15 years, a turnover rate that has eliminated any clear strategic direction. Nevertheless, it's Brady's fingerprints that are evident throughout this iteration of the Raiders. "This is the Brady's project," NFL Insider Tom Pelissero commented last offseason. "He's been integrally involved," Carroll stated of Brady at his introductory news conference in January. "This is his chance to put his stamp on a team."

Brady was responsible for the crucial appointments and placed the Raiders on this rudderless course. He hired a close associate, his former teammate and colleague in Tampa, to serve as GM. He greenlit a roster plan to the coach's specifications, including dealing a third-round pick for Geno Smith and drafting a RB with the sixth pick despite having a bottom-tier O-line. He lured an offensive innovator away from the college ranks, making him the top-earning offensive coordinator in the league. And he signed off on entrusting a unreliable offensive line – the foundation for that coach and ball carrier – to Carroll's son.

Catastrophic Results

It's been a complete failure. Last season's Raiders were a four-win team, but they were scrappy and resilient. The current Raiders are a confused mess. Carroll has implemented an old-fashioned defensive scheme, Smith looks washed and the Raiders' offensive line has undermined any hopes for their rookie and the ground attack. If nothing else, Carroll was expected to bring enthusiasm. But the Raiders were lifeless on Sunday, waiting for the plays to the conclusion of the game.

The difference with Cleveland was pronounced. Things are always bleak with the Browns, but there are embers of hope. Myles Garrett, now just five quarterback takedowns away from the league all-time mark, leads a formidable defense. And there is optimism around the impressive first-year players that includes multiple promising talents – a dynamic runner at running back and Carson Schwesinger at LB. There is also the rookie QB, who may not be the permanent solution at quarterback, but who is An Answer in the immediate future.

Granted, it was against the Raiders' defense, but Sanders showed that the stage was not too big for him. With a complete preparation period to get ready, he was effective, accepting what the defense gave him and displaying glimpses of improvisation. Sanders became the first Browns rookie quarterback to win his debut game since 1995.

Lack of Direction

The rookie quarterback and his classmates of the Browns' rookie class represent promise. That's a mirror the Raiders should avoid. Successful franchises understand their situation in the ecosystem: you're either a championship candidate, a competitive squad, or undergoing reconstruction. Vegas entered 2025 believing they were a couple of moves away from respectability. Despite the clear indications otherwise, they failed to adjust midstream. Similar to the Browns, Vegas should be throwing out young players to find out what they have for the coming years. But only two rookies have seen real playing time. There has reportedly already been tension between the coaches and the front office regarding the lack of action for two rookie offensive linemen, despite the offensive line being a sieve. First-year pass catchers two young talents have totaled nine catches in 11 games, despite the ineffectiveness in the passing game. Carroll continues to roll out experienced veterans on defense over rookies in need of experience.

Unclear Direction

Where is the future direction? Will Carroll be back or Spytek or Smith? And who actually makes those choices, Brady or Davis? How can a team function when its most powerful decision-maker participates sporadically, approves major organizational decisions, and then vanishes on side quests?

It will prove a challenge for the Raiders to improve – and they are in a conference filled with perennial playoff contenders. Meanwhile, other rebuilders have clear trajectories. The Jets are loaded with upcoming selections. The Tennessee and New York have promising young quarterbacks. The Raiders have little to build upon. No foundation. No franchise QB. No distinctive style. No strategic vision.

The single factor more problematic than being ineffective in the NFL is not knowing you're bad. The Raiders lack clarity on where they are, what they are developing, or who will make decisions in the offseason.

Tom Brady once mastered football through intense dedication. The Raiders could use more than limited attention of it.