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Tom Brady dedicated over two decades to a unwavering objective: becoming the greatest quarterback in NFL history. He achieved that goal. Now, in retirement, Brady has explored numerous pursuits. He serves as a broadcaster for Fox. He's engaged in development ventures in the UK. He has endorsed cryptocurrency. He's spreading the NFL to the Middle East. He maintains a popular YouTube channel. He replicated his dog. Brady's retirement ventures appear either eclectic or aimless, based on your viewpoint.

Secondary ventures are understandable. But managing a professional franchise is not a part-time job. In addition to his other roles, Brady functions as the unofficial football leader for the Las Vegas franchise, currently the most hapless team in the NFL.

The Raiders fell to 2–9 on this past weekend after enduring a decisive loss to the Cleveland Browns. The Raiders didn't just lose; they were embarrassed 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 fourth quarter. Geno Smith was sacked 10 times and was pressured 46 times, a season record for any team this season. On the defensive side, Las Vegas allowed significant gains to a Cleveland offense that has been ineffective for most of the season. Any way you slice it, it was a comprehensive beatdown. At least Brady didn't have to witness it. The architect of this current situation was working in Dallas on the network coverage for another game.

A Collection of Questionable Choices

To be fair to Brady, he has only spent one season guiding the team's football decisions, becoming a minority owner of the organization in 2024. But he was responsible for every major decision last offseason, and all of them has proven unsuccessful. Those decisions have resulted in the Raiders as the most unwatchable and directionless franchise in the NFL.

This wasn't supposed 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 manage a protracted process back up the standings. He was expected to return the team to competitiveness and then hand them off with a solid foundation in place. Conversely, Carroll is staring at the prospect of being one-and-done in Vegas, and the Raiders are looking at another restart.

Organizational Turmoil

This isn't all Brady's fault, naturally. Mark Davis is still the majority owner. Davis has churned through coaches and executives at a rate that would make even the New York Jets blush. The Raiders are on their seventh head coach and fifth GM in 15 years, a turnover rate that has erased any coherent long-term vision. Nevertheless, it's Brady's influence that are evident throughout this iteration of the Raiders. "This is the Brady's project," NFL Insider Tom Pelissero 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 made the key hires and placed the Raiders on this directionless path. He hired a close associate, his college buddy and colleague in Tampa, to act as general manager. He greenlit a team strategy to the coach's specifications, including trading a third-round pick for Smith and selecting a RB with the sixth pick despite having a poor-performing O-line. He lured an offensive innovator away from the college ranks, making him the highest-paid OC in the league. And he signed off on entrusting a flaky blocking unit – the bedrock for that coach and ball carrier – to Carroll's son.

Disastrous Results

It's been a disaster. The previous year's Raiders were a four-win team, but they were competitive and resilient. The current Raiders are a disorganized situation. Carroll has installed an outdated defensive philosophy, Smith looks past his prime and the Raiders' blocking unit has undermined any hopes for Ashton Jeanty and the ground attack. At the very least, Carroll was expected to bring enthusiasm. But the Raiders were uninspired on Sunday, counting down the plays 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. Their star defender, now just five quarterback takedowns away from the NFL all-time mark, leads a formidable defense. And there is positive outlook around the impressive rookie class that includes two potential stars – a dynamic runner at running back and a skilled defender at LB. There is also Shedeur Sanders, who may not be the permanent solution at QB, but who is An Answer in the immediate future.

Granted, it was against the Raiders' defense, but Sanders showed that the stage was not overwhelming for him. With a complete preparation period to prepare, he was solid, taking what the defense gave him and showing flashes of creativity. Sanders became the first Browns rookie quarterback 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 mirror the Raiders don't want to look into. Successful franchises understand their situation in the ecosystem: you're either a contender, a competitive squad, or rebuilding. Vegas entered 2025 thinking they were a few adjustments away from respectability. Despite the clear indications otherwise, they haven't pivoted midstream. Like Cleveland, Vegas should be throwing out rookies to find out what they have for the coming years. But only two first-year players have seen significant action. There has apparently already been disagreement between the coaching staff and the front office regarding the lack of action for two young blockers, despite the o-line being a weak point. Rookie receivers Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr have combined for nine catches in 11 games, despite the lack of spark in the passing game. Carroll continues to utilize experienced veterans on defense over young players in need of reps.

Uncertain Future

What is the future direction? Will Carroll be back or the GM or Smith? And who truly decides those choices, Brady or Davis? How can a franchise function when its primary influencer participates sporadically, signs off major organizational decisions, and then vanishes on other projects?

It's going to be a struggle for the Raiders to get better – and they are in a conference stacked with perennial playoff contenders. Meanwhile, other rebuilders have clear trajectories. The Jets are stocked with upcoming selections. The Tennessee and New York have promising young quarterbacks. The Raiders have nothing. No foundation. No quarterback. No identity. No plan.

The single factor more dangerous than being bad in the NFL is not knowing you're underperforming. The Raiders lack clarity on where they are, what they are developing, or who will call the shots in the offseason.

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