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Tom Brady committed over two decades to a singular mission: becoming the greatest quarterback in NFL history. He accomplished that goal. Today, in his post-playing career, Brady has explored numerous endeavors. He works as a commentator for Fox. He's engaged in development ventures in the UK. He has promoted cryptocurrency. He's expanding the NFL to the Middle East. He maintains a popular YouTube channel. He replicated his family pet. Brady's retirement activities appear either eclectic or aimless, depending on your viewpoint.

Secondary ventures are one thing. But overseeing a NFL team is hardly a part-time job. Alongside his other roles, Brady also serves as the de facto decision-maker for the Raiders, currently the least successful team in the NFL.

The Raiders dropped to 2–9 on this past weekend after enduring a decisive loss to the Browns. The Raiders didn't just get defeated; they were embarrassed by a underperforming team with a quarterback making his professional debut. The Raiders' offense averaged 2.9 yards per play before garbage-time action in the fourth quarter. Geno Smith was tackled 10 times and was pressured 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 most of the season. However you analyze it, it was a comprehensive beatdown. At least Brady didn't have to watch. The architect of this latest Vegas mess was working in Dallas on the Fox broadcast for Eagles-Cowboys.

A Collection of Dubious Choices

In fairness to Brady, he has only been involved for a year leading the team's football decisions, becoming a partial stakeholder of the organization in 2024. But he was accountable for every significant move last summer, and all of them has proven unsuccessful. Those decisions have resulted in the Raiders as the most unwatchable and directionless team in the league.

This wasn't expected to be a lengthy reconstruction. The Raiders didn't appoint veteran coach Pete Carroll, among a select group to win both a Super Bowl and a college national championship, to manage a long slog back up the standings. He was expected to return the team to relevance and then transition them with a stable base in place. Instead, Carroll is staring at the possibility of being one-and-done in Vegas, and the Raiders are looking at another reboot.

Franchise Dysfunction

This is not all Brady's fault, naturally. The majority owner is still the majority owner. Davis has churned through head coaches and executives at a speed that would make even the New York Jets blush. The Raiders are on their seventh coach and fifth GM in 15 years, a instability that has eliminated any clear strategic direction. Nevertheless, it's Brady's fingerprints that are all over this version of the Raiders. "This is the Brady's project," league reporter a prominent journalist said last offseason. "He's been deeply engaged," Carroll said of Brady at his first press conference in January. "This is his opportunity to put his stamp on a franchise."

Brady was responsible for the crucial appointments and set the Raiders on this directionless path. He appointed John Spytek, his college buddy and colleague in Tampa, to act as general manager. He greenlit a roster plan to the coach's specifications, including trading a draft selection for Smith and selecting a RB No 6 overall despite having a poor-performing offensive line. He recruited Chip Kelly away from the college ranks, making him the highest-paid OC in the league. And he signed off on handing a flaky offensive line – the bedrock for that coordinator and ball carrier – to Carroll's son.

Disastrous Results

It's been a disaster. 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 outdated defensive scheme, Smith looks washed and the Raiders' offensive line has submarined any aspirations for their rookie and the run game. If nothing else, Carroll was supposed to bring enthusiasm. But the Raiders were lifeless on Sunday, counting down the snaps to the end of the game.

The contrast with Cleveland was stark. Things are always bleak with the Browns, but there are glimmers of optimism. Myles Garrett, now just five quarterback takedowns away from the NFL all-time mark, leads a dominant defensive unit. And there is positive outlook around the impressive first-year players that includes two potential stars – Quinshon Judkins at running back and Carson Schwesinger at LB. There is also the rookie QB, who may not be the permanent solution at QB, but who is An Answer in the immediate future.

Granted, it was facing the Raiders' defensive unit, but Sanders showed that the stage was not overwhelming for him. With a complete preparation period to prepare, he was effective, taking what the defense gave him and displaying glimpses of creativity. Sanders became the first Browns rookie quarterback to win his first start since 1995.

Lack of Direction

The rookie quarterback and his classmates of the Browns' first-year players represent promise. That's a reflection the Raiders should avoid. Successful franchises recognize their situation in the league hierarchy: you're either a contender, a frisky playoff team, or rebuilding. Vegas entered 2025 believing they were a couple of moves away from competitiveness. In spite of the clear indications to the contrary, they haven't pivoted midstream. Like Cleveland, Vegas should be playing young players to find out what they have for the coming years. But only two first-year players have seen real playing time. There has reportedly already been disagreement between the coaching staff and the front office regarding the limited playing time for two rookie offensive linemen, despite the o-line being a weak point. Rookie receivers Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr have totaled nine receptions in 11 games, despite the lack of spark in the passing game. Carroll continues to roll out experienced veterans on defense over young players in need of experience.

Unclear Direction

Where is the future direction? Will the coach return or the GM or the quarterback? And who truly decides those choices, Brady or Davis? How can a team operate when its primary influencer participates sporadically, approves major organizational decisions, and then vanishes on other projects?

It's going to be a challenge for the Raiders to get better – and they are in a conference stacked with consistently successful teams. Meanwhile, other rebuilders have clear trajectories. The Jets are loaded with upcoming selections. The Tennessee and New York have talented young QBs. The Raiders have little to build upon. No foundation. No franchise QB. No identity. No plan.

The only thing more dangerous than being bad in the NFL is not recognizing you're bad. The Raiders don't know where they are, what they are building, or who will call the shots in the summer.

Tom Brady once mastered football through intense dedication. The Raiders could benefit from more than an hour of it.