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Tom Brady dedicated 23 NFL seasons to a unwavering objective: establishing himself as the most accomplished QB in league history. He accomplished that goal. Now, in his post-playing career, 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 cryptocurrency. He's spreading American football to the Middle East. He operates a successful YouTube channel. He replicated his family pet. Brady's retirement activities appear either eclectic or aimless, depending on your perspective.

Secondary ventures are understandable. But overseeing a NFL team is not a part-time job. In addition to his other roles, Brady functions as the de facto football leader for the Raiders, presently the least successful team in the league.

The Raiders fell to 2–9 on this past weekend after suffering a 24-10 defeat to the Browns. The Raiders didn't just get defeated; they were embarrassed by a struggling team with a QB making his professional debut. The Raiders' offensive unit averaged 2.9 yards per play before garbage-time action in the fourth quarter. Their quarterback was sacked 10 times and was pressured 46 times, a single-game high for any team this season. On defense, Las Vegas surrendered significant gains to a Cleveland offensive unit that has been ineffective for the majority of the season. However you analyze it, it was a thorough domination. At least Brady didn't have to watch. The primary decision-maker of this current situation was working in Dallas on the network coverage for Eagles-Cowboys.

A Collection of Questionable Decisions

To be fair to Brady, he has only spent one season guiding the team's football decisions, after becoming a partial stakeholder of the franchise in 2024. But he was accountable for every significant move last offseason, and each one has proven unsuccessful. Those decisions have left the Raiders as the least entertaining and aimless franchise in the league.

This wasn't expected to be a multi-year rebuild. The Raiders didn't appoint 74-year-old Pete Carroll, one of only three coaches to win both a Super Bowl and a NCAA title, to oversee a protracted process back up the standings. He was expected to return the team to competitiveness and then transition them with a solid foundation in place. Instead, Carroll is facing the possibility of being one-and-done in Vegas, and the Raiders are looking at another reboot.

Organizational Turmoil

This is not entirely Brady's responsibility, of course. Mark Davis is still the controlling stakeholder. Davis has cycled through head coaches and executives at a speed 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 fingerprints that are evident throughout this version of the Raiders. "This is the Brady's project," league reporter Tom Pelissero said last summer. "He's been deeply engaged," Carroll said of Brady at his introductory news conference in January. "This is his opportunity to put his stamp on a team."

Brady was responsible for the key hires and placed the Raiders on this directionless path. He hired John Spytek, his college buddy and colleague in Tampa, to act as general manager. He approved a roster plan to Carroll's preference, including dealing a third-round pick for Geno Smith and drafting a running back No 6 overall despite having a bottom-tier offensive line. He lured Chip Kelly away from the college ranks, making him the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the league. And he approved entrusting a unreliable blocking unit – the foundation for that coordinator and running back – to Carroll's son.

Disastrous Outcomes

It has become a complete failure. Last season's Raiders were a four-win team, but they were competitive and resilient. The current Raiders are a disorganized situation. Carroll has implemented an old-fashioned defensive philosophy, Smith looks washed and the Raiders' blocking unit has submarined any hopes for Ashton Jeanty and the ground attack. If nothing else, Carroll was expected to bring energy. But the Raiders were uninspired on Sunday, waiting for the snaps to the conclusion of the game.

The contrast with Cleveland was pronounced. Things are always bleak 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 dominant defensive unit. And there is positive outlook around the stellar-looking rookie class that includes multiple promising talents – Quinshon Judkins at running back and a skilled defender at linebacker. There is also Shedeur Sanders, who may not be The Answer at quarterback, but who is An Answer in the immediate future.

Admittedly, it was against the Raiders' defense, but Sanders showed that the NFL level was not too big for him. With a full week to prepare, he was effective, accepting what the defense gave him and showing glimpses of creativity. Sanders became the first Cleveland rookie QB to win his debut game since 1995.

Lack of Direction

Sanders and the rest of the Browns' rookie class symbolize promise. That's a reflection the Raiders should avoid. Good organizations recognize their position in the ecosystem: you're either a championship candidate, a competitive squad, or rebuilding. Vegas began the season thinking they were a few adjustments away from competitiveness. In spite of the clear indications to the contrary, they failed to adjust during the season. Similar to the Browns, Vegas should be playing young players to find out what they have for the future. But only two first-year players have seen significant action. There has reportedly already been disagreement between the coaches and the front office regarding the lack of action for two young blockers, despite the offensive line being a weak point. First-year pass catchers two young talents have combined for nine receptions in 11 games, despite the ineffectiveness in the aerial attack. Carroll continues to utilize experienced veterans on the defensive side over rookies in need of experience.

Unclear Future

What is the path forward? Will the coach return or the GM or Smith? And who truly decides those decisions, Brady or Davis? How can a franchise function when its primary influencer participates sporadically, approves franchise-altering moves, and then disappears on side quests?

It's going to be a struggle for the Raiders to improve – and they are in a division filled with consistently successful teams. Meanwhile, other reconstructing teams have paths. The New York Jets are stocked with upcoming selections. The Titans and Giants have talented young QBs. The Raiders have nothing. No foundation. No franchise QB. No distinctive style. No strategic vision.

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 make decisions in the offseason.

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