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Tom Brady dedicated 23 NFL seasons to a unwavering objective: establishing himself as the greatest quarterback in league history. He accomplished that dream. Now, in his post-playing career, Brady has ventured into various endeavors. He works as a commentator for Fox. He's involved in construction projects in the UK. He has promoted digital assets. He's expanding American football to Saudi Arabia. He operates a successful YouTube channel. He replicated his dog. Brady's post-career activities appear either eclectic or unfocused, based on your viewpoint.

Side projects are one thing. But managing a professional franchise is hardly a casual commitment. In addition to his other roles, Brady also serves as the de facto decision-maker for the Raiders, currently the most hapless team in the NFL.

The Raiders fell to 2–9 on Sunday after enduring a decisive loss to the Browns. The Raiders didn't just lose; they were humiliated by a struggling team with a quarterback making his professional debut. The Raiders' offensive unit averaged less than three yards per play before meaningless action in the fourth quarter. Their quarterback was tackled 10 times and faced pressure 46 times, a single-game high for any franchise this year. On the defensive side, Las Vegas allowed significant gains to a Cleveland offensive unit that has been ineffective 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

In fairness to Brady, he has only spent one season guiding the team's personnel choices, becoming a partial stakeholder of the organization in 2024. But he was responsible for every significant move last offseason, and all of them has backfired. Those decisions have left the Raiders as the most unwatchable and aimless franchise in the NFL.

This wasn't supposed to be a multi-year rebuild. The Raiders didn't appoint veteran coach Pete Carroll, one of only three coaches to win both a Super Bowl and a college national championship, to oversee a long slog back up the standings. He was supposed to return the team to relevance and then hand them off with a solid foundation in place. Conversely, Carroll is facing the possibility of being one-and-done in Vegas, and the Raiders are looking at another reboot.

Franchise Dysfunction

This isn't all Brady's fault, naturally. The majority owner is still the controlling stakeholder. Davis has cycled through head coaches and front-office heads at a speed that would make even the Jets feel embarrassed. The Raiders are on their seventh head coach and fifth GM in 15 years, a turnover rate that has eliminated any coherent long-term vision. Nevertheless, it's Brady's influence 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 deeply engaged," 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 key hires and set the Raiders on this directionless path. He hired John Spytek, his former teammate and colleague in Tampa, to serve as GM. He greenlit a team strategy to Carroll's preference, including trading a third-round pick for Smith and drafting a running back No 6 overall despite having a poor-performing O-line. He lured an offensive innovator away from the NCAA, making him the highest-paid OC in the NFL. And he approved entrusting a unreliable blocking unit – the foundation for that coordinator and running back – to Carroll's son.

Disastrous Results

It has become 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, the quarterback looks past his prime and the Raiders' offensive line has submarined any aspirations for their rookie and the run game. If nothing else, Carroll was expected 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 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 NFL 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 RB and Carson Schwesinger at linebacker. There is also Shedeur Sanders, who may not be the permanent solution at QB, but who is An Answer in the short-term.

Granted, it was facing the Raiders' defense, but Sanders showed 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 showing flashes of improvisation. Sanders became the first Browns rookie quarterback to win his first start since 1995.

Absence of Vision

The rookie quarterback and his classmates of the Browns' rookie class represent future potential. That's a reflection the Raiders should avoid. Good organizations recognize their position in the ecosystem: you're either a contender, a frisky playoff team, or rebuilding. Vegas began the season believing they were a couple of moves away from respectability. In spite of the clear indications to the contrary, they failed to adjust during the season. Similar to the Browns, Vegas should be throwing out young players to find out what they have for the future. But only two first-year players have seen significant action. There has reportedly already been disagreement between the coaching staff and the management regarding the lack of action for two rookie offensive linemen, despite the o-line being a sieve. First-year pass catchers two young talents have combined for nine receptions in 11 games, despite the ineffectiveness in the passing game. Carroll continues to roll out experienced veterans on the defensive side over rookies in need of experience.

Uncertain Direction

Where is the future direction? Will the coach return or Spytek or Smith? And who actually makes those choices, Brady or Davis? How can a franchise function when its most powerful decision-maker participates sporadically, approves franchise-altering moves, and then vanishes on side quests?

It's going to be a struggle for the Raiders to improve – and they are in a conference stacked with perennial playoff contenders. At the same time, other rebuilders have paths. The New York Jets are stocked with future draft picks. The Tennessee and New York have talented young QBs. The Raiders have nothing. No foundation. No franchise QB. No distinctive style. No strategic vision.

The only thing more dangerous 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 limited attention of it.