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Tom Brady committed over two decades to a singular objective: becoming the greatest quarterback in league history. He achieved that dream. Today, in retirement, Brady has ventured into various pursuits. He serves as a broadcaster for a major network. He's engaged in development ventures in the UK. He has promoted digital assets. He's expanding American football to Saudi Arabia. He maintains a successful YouTube channel. He replicated his dog. Brady's retirement ventures appear either eclectic or aimless, depending on your perspective.

Secondary ventures are understandable. But managing a professional franchise is not a casual commitment. In addition to his various responsibilities, 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 suffering a 24-10 defeat to the Browns. The Raiders didn't just get defeated; they were embarrassed by a underperforming team with a QB making his professional debut. The Raiders' offensive unit averaged 2.9 yards per play before garbage-time plays in the fourth quarter. Geno Smith was sacked 10 times and faced pressure 46 times, a single-game high for any team this season. On defense, Las Vegas surrendered significant gains to a Cleveland offense that has been ineffective for most of the season. However you analyze it, it was a thorough domination. At least Brady didn't have to witness it. The architect of this current situation was sitting in Dallas on the Fox broadcast for another game.

A Series of Questionable Choices

To be fair to Brady, he has only been involved for a year leading the team's football decisions, becoming a minority owner of the organization in 2024. But he was responsible for every significant move last summer, and all of them has proven unsuccessful. Those decisions have resulted in the Raiders as the least entertaining and aimless franchise in the league.

This wasn't supposed to be a lengthy reconstruction. The Raiders didn't appoint veteran coach Pete Carroll, one of only three coaches to win both a championship and a NCAA title, to oversee a protracted process back up the standings. He was expected to restore the team to competitiveness and then hand them off with a stable base in place. Conversely, Carroll is facing the prospect of being one-and-done in Vegas, and the Raiders are looking at another reboot.

Organizational Turmoil

This is not entirely Brady's responsibility, of course. The majority owner is still the majority owner. Davis has churned through coaches and executives at a rate that would make even the Jets blush. The Raiders are on their seventh head coach and fifth general manager in 15 years, a turnover rate that has eliminated any coherent long-term vision. Still, it's Brady's influence that are evident throughout this iteration of the Raiders. "This is the Brady's project," league reporter Tom Pelissero said 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 franchise."

Brady was responsible for the crucial appointments and set the Raiders on this rudderless course. He hired a close associate, his former teammate and colleague in Tampa, to act as GM. He greenlit a team strategy to Carroll's preference, including trading a third-round pick for Geno Smith and drafting a RB with the sixth pick despite having a poor-performing O-line. He lured Chip Kelly away from the college ranks, making him the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the NFL. And he approved entrusting a flaky blocking unit – the foundation for that coordinator and running back – to the coach's family member.

Disastrous Results

It's been a complete failure. The previous year's Raiders were a team with limited success, but they were scrappy and resilient. This year's Raiders are a confused mess. Carroll has installed an outdated defensive philosophy, the quarterback looks washed and the Raiders' offensive line has undermined any hopes for Ashton Jeanty and the run game. If nothing else, Carroll was expected to bring energy. But the Raiders were lifeless on Sunday, waiting for the plays to the conclusion of the game.

The contrast with Cleveland was pronounced. Things are always bleak with the Browns, but there are embers of hope. Myles Garrett, now just five sacks away from the league single-season record, leads a dominant defensive unit. 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 LB. There is also Shedeur Sanders, who may not be The Answer at quarterback, but who is a viable option in the immediate future.

Granted, it was against the Raiders' defense, but Sanders demonstrated that the NFL level was not overwhelming for him. With a complete preparation period to prepare, he was solid, taking what the opposition gave him and showing flashes of creativity. Sanders became the first Cleveland rookie QB to win his debut game 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 don't want to look into. Good organizations understand their situation in the ecosystem: you're either a contender, a competitive squad, or rebuilding. Vegas began the season thinking they were a few adjustments away from competitiveness. In spite of the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, they failed to adjust during the season. Like Cleveland, Vegas should be playing rookies to find out what they have for the coming years. But only two first-year players have seen real playing time. There has reportedly already been tension between the coaching staff and the front office regarding the lack of action 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 ineffectiveness in the passing game. Carroll continues to roll out grizzled vets on defense over young players in need of experience.

Uncertain Direction

Where is the future direction? Will the coach return or the GM or the quarterback? And who actually makes those decisions, Brady or Davis? How can a franchise operate when its primary influencer participates sporadically, approves major organizational decisions, and then vanishes on side quests?

It's going to be a challenge for the Raiders to get better – and they are in a division filled with perennial playoff contenders. Meanwhile, other rebuilders have paths. The Jets are stocked with future draft picks. The Titans and Giants have promising young quarterbacks. The Raiders have nothing. No core. No quarterback. No distinctive style. No strategic vision.

The only thing more dangerous than being bad 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 offseason.

Tom Brady once mastered football through ruthless focus. The Raiders could benefit from more than limited attention of it.