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Tom Brady committed over two decades to a singular objective: becoming the greatest quarterback in league history. He accomplished that goal. Today, in retirement, Brady has explored various pursuits. He serves as a commentator for Fox. He's involved in construction projects in the UK. He has promoted cryptocurrency. He's spreading the NFL to the Middle East. He operates a successful YouTube channel. He replicated his family pet. Brady's post-career ventures appear either eclectic or aimless, depending on your perspective.

Secondary ventures are one thing. But managing a NFL team is hardly a casual commitment. Alongside his other roles, Brady functions as the unofficial football leader for the Las Vegas franchise, presently the least successful team in the league.

The Raiders fell to 2–9 on this past weekend after enduring a 24-10 defeat to the Cleveland Browns. The Raiders didn't just lose; they were embarrassed by a underperforming team with a QB making his professional debut. The Raiders' offensive unit averaged 2.9 yards per play before meaningless plays in the fourth quarter. Geno Smith was tackled 10 times and faced pressure 46 times, a season record for any franchise this season. On the defensive side, Las Vegas allowed big plays to a Cleveland offensive unit that has been dysfunctional for most of the season. Any way you slice it, it was a thorough domination. Fortunately Brady didn't have to witness it. The primary decision-maker of this latest Vegas mess was working in Dallas on the Fox broadcast for Eagles-Cowboys.

A Series of Questionable Choices

To be fair to Brady, he has only been involved for a year leading the team's football decisions, becoming a minority owner of the organization in 2024. But he was responsible for every significant move last summer, and each one has backfired. Those moves have left the Raiders as the least entertaining and directionless franchise in the NFL.

This wasn't supposed 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 NCAA title, to manage a protracted process back up the league table. He was supposed to restore the team to relevance and then hand them off with a solid foundation in place. Instead, Carroll is facing the prospect of being fired after one season in Vegas, and the Raiders are looking at another restart.

Organizational Turmoil

This isn't entirely Brady's responsibility, of course. Mark Davis is still the controlling stakeholder. Davis has cycled through head coaches and executives at a rate that would make even the Jets feel embarrassed. The Raiders are on their seventh coach and fifth GM in 15 years, a turnover rate that has eliminated any coherent long-term vision. Nevertheless, it's Brady's influence that are all over this version of the Raiders. "This is the Brady's project," NFL Insider a prominent journalist commented last summer. "He's been integrally involved," Carroll said of Brady at his introductory news conference in January. "This is his chance to put his stamp on a franchise."

Brady was responsible for the crucial appointments and placed the Raiders on this rudderless course. He hired a close associate, his former teammate and co-worker in Tampa, to act as GM. He approved a team strategy to Carroll's preference, including dealing a draft selection for Smith and selecting a RB No 6 overall despite having a poor-performing offensive line. He lured an offensive innovator away from the college ranks, making him the top-earning offensive coordinator in the NFL. And he signed off on entrusting 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 team with limited success, but they were competitive and competitive. This year's Raiders are a confused mess. Carroll has implemented an old-fashioned defensive scheme, the quarterback looks washed and the Raiders' blocking unit has undermined any aspirations for Ashton Jeanty and the ground attack. At the very least, Carroll was supposed to bring energy. But the Raiders were uninspired on Sunday, waiting for the snaps to the end of the game.

The difference with Cleveland was pronounced. Things are always bleak with the Browns, but there are glimmers of optimism. Myles Garrett, now just five sacks away from the league single-season record, leads a formidable defense. And there is positive outlook around the stellar-looking first-year players that includes two potential stars – a dynamic runner at RB and Carson Schwesinger at linebacker. There is also the rookie QB, who may not be The Answer at QB, but who is An Answer in the immediate future.

Granted, it was against the Raiders' defensive unit, but Sanders demonstrated that the stage was not overwhelming for him. With a full week to get ready, he was effective, accepting 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 Vision

Sanders and the rest of the Browns' rookie class symbolize promise. That's a reflection the Raiders should avoid. Successful franchises recognize their situation in the league hierarchy: you're either a contender, a competitive squad, or rebuilding. Vegas began the season thinking they were a few adjustments away from competitiveness. Despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, they failed to adjust during the season. Similar to the Browns, Vegas should be throwing out young players to discover what they have for the coming years. But only two rookies have seen significant action. There has reportedly already been disagreement between the coaches and the front office regarding the limited playing time for two young blockers, despite the o-line being a sieve. Rookie receivers two young talents have combined for nine catches in 11 games, despite the ineffectiveness in the passing game. Carroll continues to roll out experienced veterans on defense over young players in need of experience.

Uncertain Future

What is the future direction? Will the coach return or Spytek or Smith? And who actually makes those decisions, Brady or Davis? How can a franchise function when its most powerful decision-maker participates sporadically, signs off 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 division stacked with perennial playoff contenders. At the same time, other rebuilders have paths. The New York Jets are loaded with upcoming selections. The Tennessee and New York have promising young quarterbacks. The Raiders have nothing. No foundation. No quarterback. No distinctive style. No strategic vision.

The single factor 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 offseason.

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