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Tom Brady committed over two decades to a unwavering objective: establishing himself as the most accomplished QB in NFL history. He accomplished that goal. Now, in retirement, Brady has explored various pursuits. He works as a commentator for a major network. He's engaged in development ventures in the UK. He has promoted digital assets. He's expanding American football to the Middle East. He operates a popular YouTube channel. He even cloned his family pet. Brady's retirement activities appear either eclectic or aimless, depending on your viewpoint.

Secondary ventures are understandable. But overseeing a professional franchise is not a part-time job. In addition to his other roles, Brady functions as the unofficial decision-maker for the Raiders, presently the least successful team in the NFL.

The Raiders fell to 2–9 on Sunday after suffering a decisive loss to the Cleveland Browns. The Raiders didn't just get defeated; they were embarrassed by a struggling team with a QB making his first NFL start. The Raiders' offense averaged 2.9 yards per play before meaningless plays in the fourth quarter. Their quarterback was tackled 10 times and was pressured 46 times, a single-game high for any franchise this year. On the defensive side, Las Vegas allowed big plays to a Cleveland offensive unit that has been ineffective for most of the season. However you analyze it, it was a thorough domination. At least Brady didn't have to witness it. The primary decision-maker of this latest Vegas mess was working in Dallas on the network coverage for another game.

A Series of Dubious Choices

To be fair to Brady, he has only been involved for a year leading 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 all of them has proven unsuccessful. Those moves have resulted in 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 hire veteran coach Pete Carroll, among a select group to win both a Super Bowl and a NCAA title, to manage a long slog back up the standings. He was expected to restore the team to competitiveness and then transition them with a solid foundation in place. Instead, Carroll is facing the possibility of being fired after one season in Vegas, and the Raiders are looking at another reboot.

Franchise Dysfunction

This isn't entirely Brady's responsibility, naturally. The majority owner is still the controlling stakeholder. Davis has cycled through coaches and front-office heads at a rate that would make even the Jets blush. The Raiders are on their seventh head coach and fifth general manager in 15 years, a instability that has eliminated any clear strategic direction. Nevertheless, it's Brady's influence that are all over this version of the Raiders. "This is the Tom Brady show," league reporter Tom Pelissero said last summer. "He's been deeply engaged," Carroll stated of Brady at his introductory news conference in January. "This is his chance to put his stamp on a team."

Brady made the crucial appointments and placed the Raiders on this rudderless course. He appointed John Spytek, his former teammate and co-worker in Tampa, to serve as GM. He approved a roster plan to the coach's specifications, including dealing a draft selection for Smith and selecting a RB with the sixth pick despite having a poor-performing offensive line. He recruited Chip Kelly away from the NCAA, making him the top-earning OC in the league. And he signed off on handing a flaky blocking unit – the foundation for that coordinator and running back – to Carroll's son.

Disastrous Outcomes

It's been a complete failure. The previous year's Raiders were a team with limited success, but they were scrappy and competitive. The current Raiders are a disorganized situation. Carroll has installed an outdated defensive philosophy, the quarterback looks past his prime and the Raiders' blocking unit has submarined any hopes for their rookie and the ground attack. If nothing else, Carroll was expected to bring energy. But the Raiders were lifeless on Sunday, counting down the snaps to the end 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 sacks away from the NFL all-time mark, leads a formidable defense. And there is optimism around the impressive first-year players that includes two potential stars – Quinshon Judkins at RB and Carson Schwesinger 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 too big for him. With a complete preparation period to prepare, he was solid, accepting what the defense gave him and showing 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' first-year players symbolize promise. That's a reflection the Raiders don't want to look into. Successful franchises recognize their situation in the league hierarchy: you're either a championship candidate, a competitive squad, or undergoing reconstruction. Vegas began the season thinking they were a couple of moves away from competitiveness. Despite the clear indications otherwise, they haven't pivoted midstream. Similar to the Browns, Vegas should be throwing out young players to discover what they have for the coming years. But only two first-year players have seen significant action. There has reportedly already been disagreement between the coaching staff and the management regarding the limited playing time for two young blockers, despite the offensive line being a weak point. Rookie receivers Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr have totaled nine catches in eleven contests, despite the ineffectiveness in the passing game. Carroll continues to roll out experienced veterans on defense over rookies in need of reps.

Unclear Direction

What is the future direction? Will Carroll be back or Spytek or the quarterback? And who truly decides those choices, Brady or Davis? How can a franchise function when its most powerful decision-maker participates sporadically, signs off franchise-altering moves, and then vanishes on side quests?

It's going to be a challenge for the Raiders to get better – and they are in a conference stacked with consistently successful teams. At the same time, other rebuilders have clear trajectories. The Jets are stocked with upcoming selections. The Tennessee and New York have talented young QBs. The Raiders have nothing. No foundation. No quarterback. No distinctive style. No plan.

The single factor 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 developing, or who will call the shots in the summer.

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