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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 dream. Today, in his post-playing career, Brady has explored various pursuits. He serves as a broadcaster for a major network. He's involved in construction projects in the UK. He has endorsed cryptocurrency. He's expanding the NFL to the Middle East. He maintains a successful YouTube channel. He replicated his dog. Brady's post-career ventures appear either eclectic or aimless, based on your viewpoint.

Secondary ventures are understandable. But overseeing a NFL team is hardly a part-time job. In addition to his other roles, Brady functions as the unofficial decision-maker for the Las Vegas franchise, currently the least successful team in the NFL.

The Raiders fell to 2–9 on this past weekend after enduring a decisive loss to the Cleveland Browns. The Raiders didn't just get defeated; they were humiliated by a underperforming team with a quarterback making his first NFL start. The Raiders' offensive unit averaged 2.9 yards per play before garbage-time plays in the final period. Geno Smith was sacked 10 times and faced pressure 46 times, a single-game high for any team this year. On defense, Las Vegas surrendered significant gains to a Cleveland offense that has been dysfunctional for most of the season. Any way you slice 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 Fox broadcast for Eagles-Cowboys.

A Collection of Dubious Decisions

To be fair to Brady, he has only been involved for a year guiding the team's personnel choices, becoming a partial stakeholder of the franchise in 2024. But he was accountable for every significant move last summer, and all of them has backfired. Those moves have left the Raiders as the most unwatchable and directionless franchise in the league.

This wasn't expected to be a lengthy reconstruction. The Raiders didn't hire 74-year-old Pete Carroll, among a select group to win both a Super Bowl and a college national championship, to oversee a long slog back up the league table. He was expected to restore the team to relevance and then transition them with a stable base in place. Conversely, Carroll is facing the prospect of being fired after one season in Vegas, and the Raiders are looking at another reboot.

Franchise Turmoil

This is not entirely Brady's responsibility, of course. The majority owner is still the controlling stakeholder. Davis has cycled through head coaches and executives at a rate that would make even the Jets feel embarrassed. The Raiders are on their seventh coach and fifth general manager in 15 years, a turnover rate that has erased any coherent long-term vision. Nevertheless, 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 integrally involved," Carroll said of Brady at his introductory news conference in January. "This is his chance to put his stamp on a team."

Brady was responsible for the crucial appointments and placed the Raiders on this rudderless course. He appointed John Spytek, his former teammate and colleague in Tampa, to act as GM. He approved a team strategy to Carroll's preference, including trading a draft selection for Geno Smith and selecting a RB No 6 overall despite having a poor-performing offensive line. He recruited Chip Kelly away from the college ranks, making him the top-earning offensive coordinator in the NFL. And he signed off on entrusting a unreliable offensive line – the bedrock for that coordinator and running back – to Carroll's son.

Disastrous Results

It's been a complete failure. Last season's Raiders were a team with limited success, but they were scrappy and resilient. This year's Raiders are a confused mess. Carroll has implemented an outdated defensive scheme, the quarterback looks washed and the Raiders' blocking unit has submarined any hopes for their rookie and the ground attack. If nothing else, Carroll was supposed to bring energy. But the Raiders were lifeless on Sunday, waiting for the snaps to the conclusion 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 NFL single-season record, leads a dominant defensive unit. And there is positive outlook around the stellar-looking first-year players that includes two potential stars – a dynamic runner at running back and Carson Schwesinger at LB. There is also the rookie QB, who may not be the permanent solution at QB, but who is a viable option in the immediate future.

Granted, it was against the Raiders' defensive unit, but Sanders demonstrated that the stage was not too big for him. With a full week to prepare, he was solid, taking what the defense gave him and displaying glimpses of creativity. Sanders became the first Browns rookie quarterback to win his debut game since 1995.

Absence of Direction

The rookie quarterback and his classmates of the Browns' first-year players symbolize future potential. That's a reflection the Raiders don't want to look into. Successful franchises recognize 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. In spite of the clear indications otherwise, they failed to adjust during the season. Similar to the Browns, 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 coaching staff 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 totaled nine catches in 11 games, despite the ineffectiveness in the aerial attack. Carroll continues to utilize experienced veterans on defense over rookies in need of reps.

Unclear Future

Where is the path forward? Will Carroll be back or the GM or Smith? And who truly decides those choices, Brady or Davis? How can a franchise function when its most powerful decision-maker logs in occasionally, signs off franchise-altering moves, and then disappears on side quests?

It's going to be a struggle for the Raiders to get better – and they are in a division filled with consistently successful teams. At the same time, other rebuilders have clear trajectories. The Jets are stocked with upcoming selections. The Titans and Giants have talented young QBs. The Raiders have nothing. No core. No franchise QB. No identity. No plan.

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

Tom Brady once excelled at football through ruthless focus. The Raiders could use more than limited attention of it.