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Tom Brady dedicated over two decades to a unwavering objective: becoming the most accomplished QB in league history. He achieved that dream. Now, in retirement, Brady has ventured into various pursuits. He works as a broadcaster for a major network. He's engaged in construction projects in the UK. He has endorsed cryptocurrency. He's spreading American football to Saudi Arabia. He operates a successful YouTube channel. He even cloned his family pet. Brady's retirement activities appear either diverse or unfocused, depending on your perspective.

Side projects are one thing. But managing a NFL team is hardly a casual commitment. In addition to his other roles, Brady also serves as the unofficial decision-maker for the Raiders, presently the least successful team in the NFL.

The Raiders dropped to 2–9 on this past weekend after suffering a decisive loss to the Cleveland Browns. The Raiders didn't just get defeated; they were humiliated by a struggling team with a QB making his professional debut. The Raiders' offense averaged 2.9 yards per play before garbage-time action in the fourth quarter. Their quarterback was tackled 10 times and faced pressure 46 times, a single-game high for any franchise this season. On defense, Las Vegas allowed significant gains to a Cleveland offense that has been dysfunctional for most of the campaign. However you analyze it, it was a thorough domination. At least Brady didn't have to watch. The primary decision-maker of this current situation was sitting in Dallas on the network coverage for another game.

A Series of Dubious Decisions

To be fair to Brady, he has only spent one season leading the team's personnel choices, becoming a partial stakeholder of the franchise in 2024. But he was responsible for every significant move last offseason, and each one has proven unsuccessful. Those moves have resulted in the Raiders as the most unwatchable and aimless team in the league.

This wasn't supposed to be a lengthy reconstruction. The Raiders didn't hire veteran coach Pete Carroll, one of only three coaches 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 stable base in place. Conversely, Carroll is facing the prospect of being one-and-done in Vegas, and the Raiders are looking at another restart.

Organizational Turmoil

This isn't entirely Brady's responsibility, of course. Mark Davis is still the majority owner. Davis has cycled through head coaches and executives at a rate 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 influence that are evident throughout this version of the Raiders. "This is the Brady's project," NFL Insider a prominent journalist said last offseason. "He's been deeply engaged," Carroll stated of Brady at his introductory news conference in January. "This is his opportunity to leave his mark on a franchise."

Brady was responsible for the crucial appointments and placed the Raiders on this rudderless course. He hired a close associate, 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 third-round pick for Geno Smith and drafting a running back No 6 overall despite having a bottom-tier O-line. He recruited an offensive innovator away from the NCAA, making him the top-earning offensive coordinator in the league. And he approved entrusting a unreliable offensive line – the foundation for that coach and ball carrier – to the coach's family member.

Catastrophic Results

It's been a disaster. The previous year's Raiders were a team with limited success, but they were scrappy and competitive. 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 undermined any aspirations for their rookie and the run game. If nothing else, Carroll was expected to bring enthusiasm. But the Raiders were uninspired on Sunday, waiting for the plays 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. Their star defender, now just five sacks away from the NFL all-time mark, 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 Carson Schwesinger at linebacker. There is also the rookie QB, who may not be the permanent solution at quarterback, but who is An Answer in the short-term.

Granted, it was against the Raiders' defense, but Sanders showed that the stage was not too big for him. With a complete preparation period to get ready, he was effective, taking what the defense gave him and showing glimpses of creativity. Sanders became the first Cleveland rookie QB to win his first start since 1995.

Absence of Direction

Sanders and the rest of the Browns' first-year players symbolize promise. That's a reflection the Raiders should avoid. Good organizations understand their situation in the ecosystem: you're either a contender, a competitive squad, or rebuilding. Vegas began the season thinking they were a couple of moves away from competitiveness. Despite the clear indications to the contrary, they haven't pivoted during the season. Like Cleveland, Vegas should be throwing out young players to discover what they have for the coming years. But only two rookies have seen real playing time. There has apparently already been tension between the coaches and the front office regarding the limited playing time for two rookie offensive linemen, despite the o-line being a sieve. First-year pass catchers Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr have totaled nine receptions in eleven contests, despite the lack of spark in the passing game. Carroll continues to utilize grizzled vets on the defensive side over rookies in need of experience.

Uncertain Future

Where is the path forward? Will Carroll be back or the GM or Smith? And who actually makes those choices, Brady or Davis? How can a franchise operate when its most powerful decision-maker participates sporadically, signs off franchise-altering moves, and then disappears on side quests?

It's going to be a challenge for the Raiders to improve – and they are in a conference stacked with consistently successful teams. Meanwhile, other rebuilders have paths. The Jets are loaded with upcoming selections. The Titans and Giants have talented young QBs. The Raiders have little to build upon. No foundation. No franchise QB. No identity. No plan.

The single factor more dangerous than being ineffective in the NFL is not recognizing you're bad. The Raiders don't know where they are, what they are building, or who will make decisions in the summer.

Tom Brady once mastered football through intense dedication. The Raiders could use more than an hour of it.