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Tom Brady committed over two decades to a unwavering mission: establishing himself as the most accomplished QB in NFL history. He accomplished that goal. Today, in his post-playing career, Brady has ventured into various pursuits. He works as a broadcaster for Fox. He's engaged in construction projects in the UK. He has promoted digital assets. He's expanding American football to Saudi Arabia. He maintains a successful YouTube channel. He even cloned his family pet. Brady's post-career activities appear either eclectic or unfocused, depending on your viewpoint.

Side projects are one thing. But managing a professional franchise is not a part-time job. Alongside his various responsibilities, Brady also serves as the de facto decision-maker for the Las Vegas franchise, presently the most hapless team in the league.

The Raiders dropped to 2–9 on this past weekend after enduring a decisive loss to the Cleveland Browns. The Raiders didn't just lose; they were humiliated by a struggling team with a quarterback making his professional debut. The Raiders' offense averaged 2.9 yards per play before meaningless plays in the final period. Geno Smith was sacked 10 times and was pressured 46 times, a season record for any franchise this year. On the defensive side, Las Vegas allowed significant gains to a Cleveland offensive unit 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 witness it. The primary decision-maker of this latest Vegas mess was working in Dallas on the Fox broadcast for another game.

A Series of Questionable Decisions

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

This wasn't supposed to be a lengthy reconstruction. 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 manage a protracted process back up the league table. He was expected to return the team to relevance and then hand them off 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 restart.

Organizational Dysfunction

This is not entirely Brady's responsibility, 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 Jets feel embarrassed. The Raiders are on their seventh head coach and fifth GM in 15 years, a instability that has eliminated any clear strategic direction. Still, it's Brady's fingerprints that are evident throughout this version of the Raiders. "This is the Brady's project," NFL Insider a prominent journalist said last offseason. "He's been integrally involved," Carroll stated of Brady at his first press conference in January. "This is his opportunity to put his stamp on a team."

Brady made the key hires and placed the Raiders on this directionless path. He appointed a close associate, his college buddy and co-worker in Tampa, to act as GM. He greenlit a roster plan to the coach's specifications, including dealing a draft selection for Geno Smith and drafting a running back No 6 overall despite having a bottom-tier O-line. He lured an offensive innovator away from the NCAA, making him the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the NFL. And he approved entrusting a flaky offensive line – the foundation for that coordinator and running back – to the coach's family member.

Disastrous Results

It has become a complete failure. Last season's Raiders were a team with limited success, but they were competitive and competitive. This year's Raiders are a disorganized situation. Carroll has installed an outdated defensive philosophy, Smith looks past his prime and the Raiders' offensive line has undermined any aspirations for their rookie and the run game. At the very least, Carroll was expected to bring enthusiasm. But the Raiders were lifeless on Sunday, waiting for 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 – Quinshon Judkins at RB and a skilled defender at LB. There is also Shedeur Sanders, who may not be the permanent solution at quarterback, but who is An Answer in the short-term.

Granted, it was facing the Raiders' defensive unit, but Sanders showed that the stage was not overwhelming for him. With a full week to get ready, he was effective, taking what the opposition gave him and showing flashes of improvisation. Sanders became the first Cleveland rookie QB to win his first start since 1995.

Absence of Vision

The rookie quarterback and his classmates of the Browns' rookie class represent promise. That's a mirror the Raiders don't want to look into. Successful franchises recognize their position in the ecosystem: you're either a championship candidate, a competitive squad, or undergoing reconstruction. Vegas began the season believing they were a couple of moves away from respectability. In spite of the clear indications otherwise, they haven't pivoted during the season. Similar to the Browns, Vegas should be throwing out rookies to discover what they have for the future. 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 rookie offensive linemen, despite the offensive line being a weak point. First-year pass catchers two young talents have totaled nine receptions in eleven contests, despite the ineffectiveness in the passing game. Carroll continues to roll out experienced veterans on the defensive side over rookies in need of reps.

Unclear Future

What is the path forward? Will the coach return or Spytek or the quarterback? And who truly decides those decisions, Brady or Davis? How can a team operate when its primary influencer logs in occasionally, signs off major organizational decisions, and then disappears on other projects?

It will prove a challenge for the Raiders to improve – and they are in a conference stacked 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 quarterback. No identity. No strategic vision.

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

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