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Tom Brady committed over two decades to a singular mission: becoming the most accomplished QB in league history. He accomplished that dream. Now, in his post-playing career, Brady has explored various endeavors. He works as a broadcaster for a major network. He's engaged in development ventures in Birmingham. He has promoted digital assets. He's expanding the NFL to Saudi Arabia. He operates a successful YouTube channel. He even cloned his dog. Brady's retirement activities appear either diverse or unfocused, based on your viewpoint.

Side projects are one thing. But managing a professional franchise is not a part-time job. In addition to his various responsibilities, Brady functions as the unofficial decision-maker for the Raiders, presently the most hapless team in the league.

The Raiders dropped to 2–9 on this past weekend after enduring a 24-10 defeat to the Cleveland Browns. The Raiders didn't just lose; they were humiliated by a underperforming team with a quarterback making his first NFL start. The Raiders' offensive unit averaged less than three yards per play before garbage-time plays in the final period. Geno Smith was tackled 10 times and was pressured 46 times, a single-game high for any franchise this season. On the defensive side, Las Vegas allowed significant gains to a Cleveland offense that has been dysfunctional for most of the season. However you analyze it, it was a comprehensive beatdown. Fortunately Brady didn't have to witness it. The architect of this latest Vegas mess was sitting in Dallas on the network coverage for another game.

A Collection of Dubious Choices

To be fair to Brady, he has only been involved for a year leading the team's personnel choices, after becoming a partial stakeholder of the organization in 2024. But he was responsible for every major decision last summer, and each one has proven unsuccessful. Those decisions have left the Raiders as the most unwatchable and aimless franchise in the NFL.

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 Super Bowl and a NCAA title, to manage a long slog back up the league table. He was expected to return the team to relevance and then transition them with a stable base in place. Conversely, Carroll is staring at the prospect of being fired after one season in Vegas, and the Raiders are looking at another reboot.

Franchise Dysfunction

This is not entirely Brady's responsibility, of course. The majority owner is still the controlling stakeholder. Davis has cycled through coaches and executives at a rate that would make even the New York Jets feel embarrassed. The Raiders are on their seventh coach and fifth general manager in 15 years, a instability that has eliminated any coherent long-term vision. Still, it's Brady's influence that are evident throughout this iteration of the Raiders. "This is the Brady's project," league reporter a prominent journalist said last summer. "He's been deeply engaged," Carroll stated of Brady at his first press conference in January. "This is his chance to put his stamp on a franchise."

Brady was responsible for the key hires and placed the Raiders on this directionless path. He appointed John Spytek, his college buddy and colleague in Tampa, to serve as general manager. He greenlit a roster plan to Carroll's preference, including dealing a third-round pick for Geno Smith and selecting a RB No 6 overall despite having a poor-performing offensive line. He lured Chip Kelly away from the NCAA, making him the top-earning OC in the league. And he approved entrusting a flaky offensive line – the foundation for that coach and running back – to the coach's family member.

Catastrophic Results

It has become a complete failure. The previous year's Raiders were a four-win team, but they were competitive and competitive. The current Raiders are a disorganized situation. Carroll has installed an old-fashioned defensive scheme, the quarterback looks past his prime and the Raiders' offensive line has submarined any aspirations for Ashton Jeanty and the ground attack. If nothing else, Carroll was supposed to bring enthusiasm. But the Raiders were uninspired on Sunday, waiting for the plays to the conclusion of the game.

The difference with Cleveland was stark. Things are always bleak with the Browns, but there are glimmers of optimism. Their star defender, now just five quarterback takedowns away from the league single-season record, leads a dominant defensive unit. And there is positive outlook around the stellar-looking 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 Answer at QB, but who is a viable option in the short-term.

Granted, it was against the Raiders' defensive unit, but Sanders demonstrated that the NFL level was not too big for him. With a full week to prepare, he was effective, accepting what the opposition gave him and displaying flashes of creativity. Sanders became the first Cleveland rookie QB to win his debut game since 1995.

Absence of Vision

Sanders and the rest of the Browns' rookie class represent future potential. That's a mirror the Raiders should avoid. Good organizations recognize their position in the league hierarchy: you're either a contender, a frisky playoff team, or rebuilding. Vegas began the season thinking they were a couple of moves away from respectability. Despite the clear indications otherwise, they failed to adjust during the season. Similar to the Browns, Vegas should be playing rookies to discover what they have for the future. But only two first-year players have seen significant action. There has apparently already been disagreement between the coaches and the management regarding the limited playing time for two young blockers, despite the o-line being a weak point. Rookie receivers Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr have combined for nine receptions in eleven contests, despite the lack of spark in the aerial attack. Carroll continues to utilize experienced veterans on defense over young players in need of experience.

Unclear Direction

Where is the path forward? Will the coach return or the GM or the quarterback? And who truly decides those decisions, Brady or Davis? How can a franchise function when its primary influencer participates sporadically, approves major organizational decisions, and then disappears 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. At the same time, other reconstructing teams have clear trajectories. The New York Jets are stocked with future draft picks. The Titans and Giants have talented young QBs. The Raiders have nothing. No core. No quarterback. No distinctive style. No plan.

The single factor more dangerous than being bad in the NFL is not recognizing 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 mastered football through ruthless focus. The Raiders could use more than an hour of it.