STWF Sports | Las Vegas | Nov. 26, 2025 – The Las Vegas Raiders are going backward, and the presence of Tom Brady — part-time, hands-on minority owner, full-time national TV analyst — isn’t helping stabilize anything in the desert.

At 2–9, with only the Giants and Titans below them in the standings, the Raiders are wasting the prime years of franchise cornerstone Maxx Crosby. And after months of internal volatility, questionable football decisions, and a vision that has produced little but regression, it’s fair to say Brady’s early tenure as an ownership influencer deserves a hard, uncomfortable grade: F.

Brady’s Culture Mission Meets Harsh Reality

Back in September, Brady penned a message outlining his desire to “reinvigorate the culture” in Las Vegas — a franchise with a proud past and a tortured, unstable present.

“I want the team to have talented players with we-first attitudes, who are coachable, who do things the right way,” he wrote.

Three months later, the Raiders are one of the league’s most dysfunctional outfits. Instead of a culture refresh, Brady’s fingerprints appear on a series of miscalculations — from coaching hires to player investments — that have sent the franchise spiraling.

Pete Carroll Already Looks Like a One-and-Done

Hiring Pete Carroll — a 74-year-old coach two years removed from Seattle — to replace Antonio Pierce was a bold swing. Now it’s clear it was a miss.

Carroll has looked out of sync since Week 2, when the Raiders followed a gritty win over New England with four straight losses. His system hasn’t clicked, his staff alignment has raised eyebrows, and his relationship with Chip Kelly — the offensive coordinator Brady was reportedly “a big advocate for” — deteriorated quickly.

Kelly’s firing after Week 12 won’t solve much. The Raiders are tied for last in scoring (15.0 PPG), 31st in rushing (79.5 YPG), and have no offensive identity. Carroll’s own son, Brennan, serves as run game coordinator/offensive line coach — and Las Vegas has one of the league’s least effective fronts.

The Athletic reported that Brady is privately frustrated with the team’s direction “beyond just the offense.” Fans have voiced louder criticism.

“Someone needs to tell Pete this isn’t the Legion of Boom Seahawks,” one wrote.
“Raiders need a QB who can go through progressions before the pocket collapses!” another added.

Brady’s Sideline Visibility Only Fuels Perception Issues

Brady has repeatedly emphasized how “hands-on” he is behind the scenes.

“I only try to provide support and advice where I really feel like I have a strong point of view,” Brady told talkSPORT.

But the optics have been messy. During a Week 2 loss to the Chargers, the FOX analyst was seen wearing a headset in the Raiders’ coaching booth — a wildly unorthodox look for someone simultaneously calling NFL games.

He insists he wants to help return the franchise “to the glory of the Al Davis and John Madden years.” But so far, the moves associated with his influence have missed the mark.

The QB Situation Is a Mess — and a Missed Opportunity

Brady’s franchise put its faith in Geno Smith, signing him to a three-year, $75 million contract with $66 million guaranteed. The results have been disastrous. Smith is tied for the league lead in interceptions (13) and ranks dead-last in passer rating (29.3).

Antonio Pierce, fired after only one full season, revealed that the organization was high on rookie Shedeur Sanders — and would have drafted him if Pierce remained.

“Mark Davis was on board… We believed in what we saw in Shedeur,” Pierce said.

Instead, Las Vegas passed. Sanders slipped to Cleveland at pick No. 144 and won his first NFL start last week.

The Raiders Need Another Full Reset — Even If Painful

History keeps repeating in Las Vegas: high-priced coaches, unstable leadership, bad QB decisions, and wasted star talent. Crosby, now 27 with $112 million remaining on his deal, is approaching an age where contenders will start calling. Trading him would hurt — but the current rebuild timeline may demand bold moves.

For now, Brady holds a rare and unprecedented dual status as both national TV voice and NFL minority owner — a conflict many fans and observers believe undermines competitive integrity.

Judged strictly as a franchise steward, his first year of involvement has been a staggering failure. The Raiders look rudderless, regressive, and years away from competing. Without a dramatic course correction, Las Vegas risks another decade spent in the NFL wilderness.