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Tom Brady committed over two decades to a singular objective: establishing himself as the greatest quarterback in league history. He achieved that dream. Now, in retirement, Brady has explored numerous pursuits. He works as a broadcaster for Fox. He's involved in construction projects in the UK. He has promoted digital assets. He's spreading the NFL to the Middle East. He maintains a successful YouTube channel. He even cloned his dog. Brady's post-career activities appear either diverse or unfocused, based on your perspective.

Secondary ventures are one thing. But managing a NFL team is hardly a casual commitment. Alongside his other roles, Brady also serves as the unofficial football leader for the Raiders, presently the most hapless team in the league.

The Raiders fell to 2–9 on Sunday after enduring a decisive loss to the Cleveland Browns. The Raiders didn't just lose; they were humiliated by a struggling team with a QB making his professional debut. The Raiders' offensive unit averaged 2.9 yards per play before garbage-time plays in the fourth quarter. Geno Smith was tackled 10 times and faced pressure 46 times, a single-game high for any franchise this year. On the defensive side, Las Vegas surrendered significant gains to a Cleveland offense that has been dysfunctional for most of the campaign. However you analyze it, it was a comprehensive beatdown. Fortunately Brady didn't have to watch. The primary decision-maker of this current situation was working in Dallas on the Fox broadcast for another game.

A Series of Dubious Choices

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 major decision last offseason, and all of them has backfired. Those decisions have resulted in the Raiders as the least entertaining and directionless team in the league.

This wasn't expected to be a multi-year rebuild. The Raiders didn't appoint 74-year-old Pete Carroll, among a select group to win both a championship and a NCAA title, to manage a long slog back up the standings. He was supposed to return the team to relevance 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.

Franchise Turmoil

This isn't entirely Brady's responsibility, naturally. Mark Davis is still the majority owner. Davis has churned through head coaches and executives 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 turnover rate 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," league reporter Tom Pelissero commented last offseason. "He's been deeply engaged," Carroll stated of Brady at his first press conference in January. "This is his opportunity to leave his mark on a franchise."

Brady was responsible for the crucial appointments and set the Raiders on this rudderless course. He appointed a close associate, his college buddy and co-worker in Tampa, to act as general manager. He approved a roster plan to Carroll's preference, including trading a draft selection for Geno Smith and drafting a RB No 6 overall despite having a bottom-tier offensive line. He recruited an offensive innovator away from the NCAA, making him the top-earning offensive coordinator 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 Outcomes

It has become a complete failure. Last season's Raiders were a four-win team, but they were scrappy and resilient. This year's Raiders are a confused mess. Carroll has installed an outdated defensive philosophy, Smith looks washed and the Raiders' blocking unit 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 plays to the conclusion of the game.

The contrast with Cleveland was stark. Things are always bleak with the Browns, but there are embers of hope. Myles Garrett, now just five sacks away from the league single-season record, leads a formidable defense. And there is positive outlook around the impressive first-year players that includes two potential stars – Quinshon Judkins at RB and a skilled defender at linebacker. There is also the rookie QB, who may not be The Answer at quarterback, but who is An Answer in the short-term.

Admittedly, it was against the Raiders' defense, but Sanders demonstrated that the stage was not overwhelming for him. With a complete preparation period to get ready, he was solid, taking what the opposition gave him and displaying flashes of improvisation. Sanders became the first Cleveland rookie QB to win his first start since 1995.

Lack of Direction

The rookie quarterback and his classmates of the Browns' first-year players represent future potential. That's a reflection the Raiders don't want to look into. Good organizations understand their position in the ecosystem: you're either a championship candidate, a competitive squad, or rebuilding. Vegas began the season thinking they were a couple of moves away from respectability. Despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, they failed to adjust during the season. Like Cleveland, Vegas should be playing young players 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 management 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 totaled nine catches in 11 games, despite the lack of spark in the aerial attack. Carroll continues to utilize grizzled vets on the defensive side over rookies in need of reps.

Uncertain Future

What is the path forward? Will the coach return or Spytek or Smith? And who truly decides those decisions, Brady or Davis? How can a team function when its primary influencer participates sporadically, signs off major organizational decisions, and then vanishes on side quests?

It's going to be a challenge for the Raiders to improve – and they are in a division filled with consistently successful teams. Meanwhile, other rebuilders have clear trajectories. The Jets are stocked with upcoming selections. The Titans and Giants have promising young quarterbacks. The Raiders have nothing. No foundation. No quarterback. No distinctive style. No strategic vision.

The single factor 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 developing, 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.