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Tom Brady committed 23 NFL seasons to a singular objective: becoming the most accomplished QB in league history. He achieved that dream. Today, in his post-playing career, Brady has explored numerous pursuits. He works as a commentator for a major network. He's engaged in development ventures in Birmingham. He has endorsed digital assets. He's expanding American football to Saudi Arabia. He operates a popular YouTube channel. He even cloned his family pet. Brady's retirement ventures appear either diverse or unfocused, depending on your viewpoint.

Secondary ventures are understandable. But overseeing a NFL team is hardly a part-time job. In addition to his various responsibilities, Brady functions as the de facto decision-maker for the Raiders, currently the least successful team in the league.

The Raiders fell to 2–9 on Sunday after suffering a decisive loss to the Browns. The Raiders didn't just get defeated; they were humiliated by a underperforming team with a quarterback making his professional debut. The Raiders' offensive unit averaged less than three yards per play before meaningless plays in the final period. Their quarterback was tackled 10 times and faced pressure 46 times, a single-game high for any franchise this season. On the defensive side, Las Vegas surrendered big plays to a Cleveland offensive unit that has been ineffective 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 primary decision-maker of this current situation was working in Dallas on the network coverage for another game.

A Series of Dubious Choices

In fairness to Brady, he has only been involved for a year leading the team's football decisions, after becoming a minority owner of the franchise in 2024. But he was accountable for every significant move last offseason, and each one has proven unsuccessful. Those decisions have resulted in the Raiders as the least entertaining and directionless team in the league.

This wasn't supposed to be a lengthy reconstruction. The Raiders didn't appoint veteran coach Pete Carroll, among a select group to win both a championship and a NCAA title, to oversee a long slog 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 facing the possibility of being one-and-done in Vegas, and the Raiders are looking at another reboot.

Organizational Turmoil

This isn't all Brady's fault, naturally. The majority owner is still the majority owner. Davis has cycled through head coaches and executives at a speed that would make even the Jets blush. The Raiders are on their seventh coach and fifth GM in 15 years, a turnover rate that has eliminated any coherent long-term vision. Nevertheless, it's Brady's influence that are all over this version of the Raiders. "This is the Brady's project," league reporter a prominent journalist commented last offseason. "He's been integrally involved," Carroll said of Brady at his first press conference in January. "This is his opportunity to put his stamp on a team."

Brady was responsible for the key hires and set the Raiders on this directionless path. He hired a close associate, his former teammate and co-worker in Tampa, to act as general manager. He approved a roster plan to Carroll's preference, including trading a third-round pick for Smith and selecting a RB No 6 overall despite having a bottom-tier O-line. He lured 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 bedrock for that coach and ball carrier – to the coach's family member.

Disastrous Outcomes

It's been a disaster. The previous year's Raiders were a four-win team, but they were competitive and competitive. The current Raiders are a confused mess. Carroll has implemented an outdated defensive philosophy, Smith looks washed and the Raiders' offensive line has submarined any aspirations for Ashton Jeanty and the ground attack. At the very least, 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. 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 all-time mark, leads a dominant defensive unit. And there is optimism around the impressive rookie class that includes two potential stars – Quinshon Judkins at running back and Carson Schwesinger at linebacker. There is also the rookie QB, who may not be the permanent solution at quarterback, but who is a viable option in the immediate future.

Admittedly, it was facing the Raiders' defense, but Sanders showed that the stage was not too big for him. With a full week to prepare, he was effective, taking what the defense gave him and displaying glimpses of improvisation. Sanders became the first Browns rookie quarterback to win his debut game since 1995.

Lack of Vision

Sanders and the rest of the Browns' first-year players symbolize future potential. That's a reflection the Raiders should avoid. Good organizations understand their position in the league hierarchy: you're either a contender, a competitive squad, or rebuilding. Vegas began the season believing they were a few adjustments away from competitiveness. Despite the overwhelming evidence otherwise, they failed to adjust midstream. Like Cleveland, Vegas should be throwing out young players to find out what they have for the future. But only two first-year players have seen real playing time. There has reportedly already been tension between the coaches and the management regarding the lack of action for two young blockers, despite the offensive line being a sieve. Rookie receivers Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr have totaled nine receptions in 11 games, despite the ineffectiveness in the passing game. Carroll continues to roll out experienced veterans on defense over young players in need of reps.

Uncertain Future

What is the path forward? Will the coach return or Spytek or Smith? And who truly decides those choices, Brady or Davis? How can a team function when its primary influencer logs in occasionally, signs off franchise-altering moves, and then disappears on side quests?

It will prove a struggle for the Raiders to improve – and they are in a division filled with consistently successful teams. Meanwhile, other reconstructing teams have clear trajectories. The New York Jets are loaded with upcoming selections. The Tennessee and New York have promising young quarterbacks. The Raiders have little to build upon. No core. No quarterback. No distinctive style. No plan.

The only thing more problematic than being bad in the NFL is not knowing you're bad. The Raiders lack clarity on where they are, what they are building, or who will make decisions in the offseason.

Tom Brady once mastered football through ruthless focus. The Raiders could benefit from more than an hour of it.