NFL legend Tom Brady once tormented the Las Vegas Raiders on the field. Now, he owns a stake in the franchise. Predictably, the arrangement stirred mixed emotions among the fan base.
If Brady can help make the Raiders winners again, the infamous Tuck Rule will fade further into history. Success has a way of softening old grudges.
Many around the league expected Brady’s influence to produce quick results, especially after Las Vegas hired Super Bowl-winning coach Pete Carroll. Instead, the Raiders have regressed, leaving Brady’s long-term vision in Sin City unclear.
What does Tom Brady actually do for the Raiders?
According to a report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, at least one Raider is looking for a competent game plan from Brady’s front office.
This was supposed to be the Tom Brady turnaround in Las Vegas: the greatest quarterback of all time stepping in and shaping an aimless organization, with a blueprint straight from the mountaintop of champions.
“I really don’t know what the plan is. I don’t think anyone knows,” one Raider said this week when asked if he felt good about the future of the team.
Russini reports that Brady has visited the Raiders’ facility only a handful of times, though he remains involved in daily operations. He communicates regularly with longtime trainer and business partner Alex Guerrero, who has been embedded within the organization, and stays in contact with owner Mark Davis, general manager John Spytek, coaches, and players.
Brady is a part-time owner largely because he is a full-time broadcaster for FOX Sports’ NFL coverage. Even so, his influence in Las Vegas is significant.
Given the on-field results and Brady’s long-term commitment to FOX, the arrangement invites scrutiny. One season has already been lost under his watch. The Raiders failed to land top coaching candidates, bypassed quarterback Sam Darnold in favor of Geno Smith, and backed offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who has since been fired.
Brady needs to take the reins…
Even with a full-time presence, Brady would face a steep learning curve. History is unkind to legends who move from the field to the front office. Michael Jordan’s tenure as an NBA owner stands as a cautionary tale. Jordan, like Brady, wielded real decision-making power.
The difference is that Jordan was on the job full time. Unless Brady begins delivering tangible results—starting with acquiring a franchise quarterback through the NFL Draft—the Raiders should reassess his part-time role. Brady once tormented the franchise as an opponent. Allowing him to do so as an executive would be far worse.
So far, the results have been bleak. If Brady can revive the Raiders through remote management, it would rank among the most remarkable turnarounds in sports. The Raiders are betting on that outcome, and Mark Davis can only hope this gamble does not become another loss authored by Tom Brady.
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