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Tom Brady dedicated over two decades to a unwavering mission: establishing himself as the greatest quarterback in NFL history. He achieved that goal. Today, in his post-playing career, Brady has explored various pursuits. He serves as a commentator for a major network. He's involved in construction projects in Birmingham. He has promoted cryptocurrency. He's spreading American football to the Middle East. He operates a popular YouTube channel. He even cloned his dog. Brady's post-career ventures appear either eclectic or aimless, depending on your perspective.

Side projects are one thing. But overseeing a professional franchise is not a casual commitment. In addition to his various responsibilities, Brady functions as the de facto football leader for the Raiders, currently the least successful team in the league.

The Raiders dropped to 2–9 on Sunday after enduring a 24-10 defeat to the Cleveland Browns. The Raiders didn't just get defeated; they were humiliated by a struggling team with a QB making his first NFL start. The Raiders' offensive unit averaged less than three yards per play before garbage-time plays in the fourth quarter. Their quarterback was sacked 10 times and was pressured 46 times, a season record for any team this season. On defense, Las Vegas surrendered 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 architect of this current situation was working in Dallas on the Fox broadcast for Eagles-Cowboys.

A Collection of Dubious Choices

In fairness to Brady, he has only spent one season leading the team's football decisions, becoming a partial stakeholder of the franchise in 2024. But he was responsible 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 directionless team in the league.

This wasn't expected to be a multi-year rebuild. The Raiders didn't hire veteran coach Pete Carroll, one of only three coaches to win both a championship and a NCAA title, to manage a protracted process back up the league table. He was expected to return the team to competitiveness and then transition them with a solid foundation in place. Conversely, Carroll is staring at the possibility of being fired after one season in Vegas, and the Raiders are looking at another reboot.

Organizational Turmoil

This isn't entirely Brady's responsibility, naturally. The majority owner is still the majority owner. Davis has churned through coaches and front-office heads at a speed that would make even the New York Jets feel embarrassed. 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 summer. "He's been deeply engaged," Carroll said of Brady at his introductory news conference in January. "This is his opportunity to leave his mark on a team."

Brady made the key hires and placed the Raiders on this rudderless course. He hired a close associate, his college buddy and colleague in Tampa, to serve as GM. He greenlit a roster plan to Carroll's preference, including dealing a third-round pick for Geno Smith and drafting a RB with the sixth pick despite having a poor-performing offensive line. He recruited Chip Kelly away from the NCAA, making him the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the league. And he signed off on handing a flaky offensive line – the bedrock for that coordinator and ball carrier – to Carroll's son.

Catastrophic Results

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 confused mess. Carroll has installed an old-fashioned defensive scheme, Smith looks past his prime and the Raiders' blocking unit has submarined any hopes for their rookie and the run game. At the very least, Carroll was supposed to bring energy. But the Raiders were uninspired on Sunday, waiting for the plays to the conclusion of the game.

The difference 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 formidable defense. And there is optimism around the impressive rookie class that includes multiple promising talents – Quinshon Judkins at running back and Carson Schwesinger at LB. There is also Shedeur Sanders, who may not be The Answer at QB, but who is a viable option in the immediate future.

Admittedly, it was against the Raiders' defensive unit, but Sanders showed that the stage was not overwhelming for him. With a complete preparation period to prepare, he was solid, accepting what the defense gave him and showing flashes of improvisation. Sanders became the first Browns rookie quarterback to win his first start since 1995.

Lack of Vision

Sanders and the rest of the Browns' rookie class represent promise. That's a reflection the Raiders should avoid. Successful franchises recognize their situation in the league hierarchy: you're either a contender, a frisky playoff team, or rebuilding. Vegas began the season believing they were a few adjustments away from respectability. In spite of the clear indications otherwise, they haven't pivoted during the season. Like Cleveland, Vegas should be throwing out rookies to discover what they have for the coming years. But only two rookies have seen real playing time. There has apparently already been disagreement between the coaches and the front office regarding the lack of action for two rookie offensive linemen, despite the o-line being a weak point. Rookie receivers two young talents have combined for nine receptions in eleven contests, despite the lack of spark in the passing game. Carroll continues to roll out grizzled vets on the defensive side over rookies in need of reps.

Uncertain Future

Where is the future direction? Will the coach return or the GM or Smith? And who truly decides those choices, Brady or Davis? How can a team operate when its most powerful decision-maker logs in occasionally, approves major organizational decisions, and then vanishes on side quests?

It's going to be a challenge for the Raiders to get better – and they are in a division filled with consistently successful teams. At the same time, other reconstructing teams have paths. The Jets are loaded with upcoming selections. The Titans and Giants have promising young quarterbacks. The Raiders have little to build upon. No core. No franchise QB. No distinctive style. No strategic vision.

The only thing more problematic than being ineffective in the NFL is not recognizing you're underperforming. 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 use more than an hour of it.