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Tom Brady committed over two decades to a singular objective: establishing himself as the greatest quarterback in NFL history. He achieved that goal. Today, in retirement, Brady has ventured into various endeavors. He works as a commentator for a major network. He's involved in construction projects in Birmingham. He has endorsed digital assets. He's spreading American football to Saudi Arabia. He maintains a popular YouTube channel. He replicated his family pet. Brady's post-career ventures appear either eclectic or aimless, based on your perspective.

Secondary ventures are one thing. But overseeing a NFL team is hardly a casual commitment. In addition to his other roles, Brady also serves as the unofficial decision-maker for the Raiders, presently the least successful team in the NFL.

The Raiders dropped to 2–9 on Sunday after suffering a 24-10 defeat to the Browns. The Raiders didn't just get defeated; they were humiliated by a struggling team with a QB making his first NFL start. The Raiders' offensive unit averaged less than three yards per play before meaningless action in the final period. Their quarterback was tackled 10 times and was pressured 46 times, a single-game high for any team this season. On the defensive side, Las Vegas allowed big plays to a Cleveland offensive unit that has been dysfunctional for the majority of the season. Any way you slice it, it was a thorough domination. Fortunately Brady didn't have to witness it. The architect of this current situation was working in Dallas on the Fox broadcast for Eagles-Cowboys.

A Series of Questionable Decisions

To be fair to Brady, he has only been involved for a year guiding the team's personnel choices, becoming a minority owner of the organization in 2024. But he was accountable for every major decision last offseason, and each one has proven unsuccessful. Those decisions have left the Raiders as the least entertaining and directionless team in the NFL.

This wasn't supposed to be a lengthy reconstruction. The Raiders didn't hire veteran coach Pete Carroll, one of only three coaches to win both a championship and a college national championship, to oversee a protracted process back up the league table. He was supposed to restore the team to competitiveness and then hand them off with a solid foundation in place. Instead, Carroll is staring at the prospect of being one-and-done in Vegas, and the Raiders are looking at another restart.

Franchise Dysfunction

This is not entirely Brady's responsibility, of course. Mark Davis is still the majority owner. Davis has churned through head coaches and front-office heads 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 clear strategic direction. Still, it's Brady's influence that are evident throughout this iteration of the Raiders. "This is the Tom Brady show," league reporter Tom Pelissero said last summer. "He's been integrally involved," Carroll said of Brady at his introductory news conference in January. "This is his chance to leave his mark on a franchise."

Brady was responsible for the crucial appointments and set the Raiders on this rudderless course. He appointed a close associate, his former teammate and colleague in Tampa, to act as GM. He approved a roster plan to the coach's specifications, including trading a third-round pick for Smith and drafting a running back No 6 overall despite having a poor-performing offensive line. He recruited an offensive innovator away from the NCAA, making him the highest-paid OC in the NFL. And he approved handing a unreliable offensive line – the bedrock for that coordinator and running back – to the coach's family member.

Catastrophic Results

It's been a complete failure. Last season's Raiders were a team with limited success, but they were competitive and resilient. This year's Raiders are a confused mess. Carroll has implemented an old-fashioned defensive philosophy, Smith looks past his prime and the Raiders' blocking unit has undermined any hopes for their rookie and the ground attack. At the very least, Carroll was expected to bring enthusiasm. But the Raiders were lifeless on Sunday, counting down the snaps to the conclusion of the game.

The difference with Cleveland was stark. The situation often seems dire with the Browns, but there are glimmers of optimism. Myles Garrett, now just five quarterback takedowns away from the league single-season record, leads a formidable defense. And there is positive outlook around the stellar-looking rookie class that includes two potential stars – a dynamic runner at RB and a skilled defender at linebacker. There is also the rookie QB, who may not be the permanent solution at quarterback, but who is An Answer in the short-term.

Granted, it was against the Raiders' defense, but Sanders showed that the NFL level was not overwhelming for him. With a full week to get ready, he was solid, accepting what the defense gave him and displaying glimpses of improvisation. Sanders became the first Cleveland rookie QB to win his first start since 1995.

Lack of Direction

Sanders and the rest of the Browns' rookie class represent future potential. That's a reflection the Raiders should avoid. Successful franchises understand their situation in the ecosystem: you're either a contender, a competitive squad, or undergoing reconstruction. Vegas entered 2025 believing they were a few adjustments away from respectability. Despite the clear indications otherwise, they haven't pivoted during the season. Similar to the Browns, Vegas should be playing rookies to discover 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 limited playing time for two young blockers, despite the offensive line being a weak point. First-year pass catchers Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr have totaled nine catches in eleven contests, despite the lack of spark in the passing game. Carroll continues to utilize experienced veterans on the defensive side over young players in need of reps.

Unclear Direction

Where is the path forward? Will Carroll be back or Spytek or the quarterback? And who actually makes those choices, Brady or Davis? How can a franchise operate when its most powerful decision-maker logs in occasionally, approves major organizational decisions, and then disappears on other projects?

It will prove a struggle for the Raiders to improve – and they are in a conference filled with perennial playoff contenders. Meanwhile, other reconstructing teams have clear trajectories. The Jets are loaded with future draft picks. The Titans and Giants have talented young QBs. The Raiders have nothing. No foundation. No franchise QB. No distinctive style. No strategic vision.

The single factor more dangerous than being bad in the NFL is not knowing you're underperforming. The Raiders don't know where they are, what they are building, or who will call the shots in the offseason.

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