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Tom Brady dedicated over two decades to a singular objective: establishing himself as the greatest quarterback in NFL history. He accomplished that goal. Now, in his post-playing career, Brady has ventured into numerous endeavors. He serves as a broadcaster for a major network. He's involved in development ventures in Birmingham. He has endorsed digital assets. He's expanding the NFL to Saudi Arabia. He operates a successful YouTube channel. He replicated his dog. Brady's retirement activities appear either eclectic or unfocused, depending on your viewpoint.

Secondary ventures are understandable. But managing a NFL team is not a part-time job. In addition to his other roles, Brady functions as the de facto decision-maker for the Las Vegas franchise, presently the most hapless team in the NFL.

The Raiders fell to 2–9 on this past weekend after enduring a decisive loss to the Browns. The Raiders didn't just lose; they were embarrassed by a underperforming team with a quarterback making his professional debut. The Raiders' offense averaged 2.9 yards per play before garbage-time action in the final period. Their quarterback was tackled 10 times and was pressured 46 times, a season record for any team this year. On defense, Las Vegas allowed significant gains to a Cleveland offensive unit that has been ineffective for the majority of the campaign. However you analyze it, it was a comprehensive beatdown. Fortunately Brady didn't have to witness it. The primary decision-maker of this latest Vegas mess was sitting in Dallas on the network coverage for another game.

A Series of Dubious Choices

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 responsible for every major decision last offseason, and each one has backfired. Those decisions have resulted in the Raiders as the least entertaining and directionless franchise in the NFL.

This wasn't supposed to be a lengthy reconstruction. The Raiders didn't hire veteran coach Pete Carroll, among a select group to win both a championship and a NCAA title, to oversee a protracted process back up the league table. He was expected to return the team to competitiveness and then transition them with a solid foundation in place. Conversely, Carroll is staring at the prospect of being one-and-done in Vegas, and the Raiders are looking at another reboot.

Organizational Dysfunction

This is not all Brady's fault, naturally. The majority owner is still the controlling stakeholder. Davis has cycled through coaches and executives 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 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," NFL Insider a prominent journalist commented last summer. "He's been integrally involved," Carroll said of Brady at his first press conference in January. "This is his opportunity to put his stamp on a team."

Brady was responsible for the crucial appointments and set the Raiders on this directionless path. He hired John Spytek, his former teammate and colleague in Tampa, to serve as general manager. He greenlit 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 Chip Kelly away from the NCAA, making him the top-earning OC in the NFL. And he approved entrusting a flaky offensive line – the foundation for that coach and running back – to Carroll's son.

Disastrous Outcomes

It's been a disaster. The previous year's Raiders were a four-win team, but they were scrappy and competitive. This year's Raiders are a disorganized situation. Carroll has installed an old-fashioned defensive philosophy, Smith looks past his prime and the Raiders' offensive line has submarined any aspirations for Ashton Jeanty and the run game. If nothing else, Carroll was supposed to bring enthusiasm. But the Raiders were uninspired on Sunday, waiting for the snaps to the end of the game.

The contrast with Cleveland was pronounced. The situation often seems dire with the Browns, but there are embers of hope. Their star defender, now just five sacks away from the league all-time mark, leads a formidable defense. And there is optimism around the stellar-looking rookie class that includes two potential stars – a dynamic runner at running back 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 demonstrated that the stage was not overwhelming for him. With a full week to get ready, he was solid, accepting what the defense gave him and displaying flashes of improvisation. Sanders became the first Browns rookie quarterback to win his first start since 1995.

Absence of Direction

The rookie quarterback and his classmates of the Browns' rookie class symbolize future potential. That's a mirror the Raiders should avoid. Successful franchises recognize their situation in the league hierarchy: you're either a contender, a competitive squad, or undergoing reconstruction. Vegas began the season thinking they were a few adjustments away from respectability. 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 find out what they have for the coming years. But only two rookies have seen real playing time. There has reportedly already been tension between the coaching staff and the management regarding the lack of action for two young blockers, 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 passing game. Carroll continues to roll out experienced veterans on defense over young players in need of experience.

Unclear Direction

Where is the path forward? Will Carroll be back or the GM or the quarterback? And who truly decides those decisions, Brady or Davis? How can a team function when its primary influencer participates sporadically, approves franchise-altering moves, and then vanishes on other projects?

It will prove a struggle for the Raiders to improve – and they are in a conference stacked with consistently successful teams. At the same time, other reconstructing teams have paths. The Jets are loaded with future draft picks. The Titans and Giants have talented young QBs. The Raiders have little to build upon. No foundation. No franchise QB. No distinctive style. No strategic vision.

The single factor more dangerous than being ineffective in the NFL is not knowing you're underperforming. The Raiders lack clarity on where they are, what they are building, or who will make decisions in the summer.

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