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Tom Brady committed over two decades to a singular mission: establishing himself as the most accomplished QB in NFL history. He achieved that dream. Today, in retirement, Brady has explored various pursuits. He works as a broadcaster for a major network. He's involved in construction projects in Birmingham. He has promoted cryptocurrency. He's spreading 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, depending on your perspective.

Secondary ventures are understandable. But overseeing a professional franchise is not a casual commitment. Alongside his other roles, Brady also serves as the unofficial football leader for the Raiders, presently the least successful team in the league.

The Raiders dropped to 2–9 on Sunday after enduring a decisive loss to the Browns. The Raiders didn't just get defeated; they were embarrassed by a underperforming team with a quarterback making his first NFL start. The Raiders' offense 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 team this season. On the defensive side, Las Vegas allowed significant gains to a Cleveland offensive unit that has been dysfunctional for the majority of the season. However you analyze it, it was a comprehensive beatdown. Fortunately Brady didn't have to watch. The primary decision-maker of this latest Vegas mess was working in Dallas on the Fox broadcast for Eagles-Cowboys.

A Series of Questionable Choices

In fairness to Brady, he has only been involved for a year guiding the team's football decisions, becoming a partial stakeholder of the organization in 2024. But he was responsible for every major decision last offseason, and each one has proven unsuccessful. Those moves have left the Raiders as the least entertaining and directionless team in the league.

This wasn't supposed to be a multi-year rebuild. The Raiders didn't hire veteran coach 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 supposed to restore the team to relevance and then hand them off with a stable base in place. Instead, 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 isn't entirely Brady's responsibility, naturally. Mark Davis is still the controlling stakeholder. Davis has churned through coaches and front-office heads at a speed that would make even the New York 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. Nevertheless, it's Brady's fingerprints that are all over this version of the Raiders. "This is the Tom Brady show," league reporter Tom Pelissero said last summer. "He's been integrally involved," Carroll said of Brady at his first press conference in January. "This is his chance to leave his mark on a team."

Brady made the key hires and placed the Raiders on this rudderless course. He appointed John Spytek, his college buddy and co-worker in Tampa, to serve as GM. He greenlit a team strategy to Carroll's preference, including trading a third-round pick for Geno Smith and drafting a RB No 6 overall despite having a poor-performing O-line. He recruited Chip Kelly away from the NCAA, making him the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the NFL. And he signed off on handing a unreliable blocking unit – the foundation for that coach and running back – to Carroll's son.

Catastrophic Results

It's been a complete failure. The previous year's Raiders were a team with limited success, but they were competitive and resilient. This year's Raiders are a confused mess. Carroll has implemented an outdated defensive scheme, Smith looks past his prime and the Raiders' blocking unit has submarined any hopes for their rookie and the ground attack. If nothing else, Carroll was expected to bring enthusiasm. But the Raiders were uninspired on Sunday, counting down the plays to the conclusion of the game.

The difference with Cleveland was pronounced. Things are always bleak with the Browns, but there are glimmers of optimism. Myles Garrett, now just five quarterback takedowns away from the NFL all-time mark, leads a formidable defense. And there is positive outlook around the stellar-looking rookie class that includes two potential stars – Quinshon Judkins at running back and a skilled defender at linebacker. There is also Shedeur Sanders, who may not be The Answer at quarterback, but who is An Answer in the short-term.

Granted, it was against the Raiders' defense, but Sanders showed that the NFL level was not overwhelming for him. With a complete preparation period to get ready, 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 Vision

Sanders and the rest of the Browns' rookie class represent future potential. That's a reflection the Raiders should avoid. Successful franchises understand their situation in the ecosystem: you're either a championship candidate, a frisky playoff team, or undergoing reconstruction. Vegas began the season believing they were a couple of moves away from respectability. In spite of the clear indications otherwise, they haven't pivoted during the season. Like Cleveland, Vegas should be throwing out young players to find out what they have for the future. But only two rookies have seen real playing time. There has reportedly already been tension between the coaching staff and the management regarding the limited playing time for two rookie offensive linemen, despite the offensive line being a sieve. Rookie receivers two young talents have totaled nine receptions in 11 games, despite the lack of spark in the aerial attack. Carroll continues to roll out grizzled vets on defense over rookies in need of reps.

Uncertain Direction

Where is the future direction? Will Carroll be back or Spytek or the quarterback? And who truly decides those choices, Brady or Davis? How can a franchise operate when its primary influencer logs in occasionally, approves major organizational decisions, and then vanishes on side quests?

It will prove a struggle for the Raiders to get better – and they are in a division filled with perennial playoff contenders. At the same time, other reconstructing teams have clear trajectories. The New York Jets are loaded with upcoming selections. The Titans and Giants have promising young quarterbacks. The Raiders have nothing. No core. No quarterback. No identity. No plan.

The single factor more dangerous than being ineffective in the NFL is not knowing you're bad. The Raiders don't know 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 use more than an hour of it.