Raiders' Coaching Search Raises Eyebrows as Tom Brady's Role Remains Murky
When the Las Vegas Raiders parted ways with head coach Pete Carroll at the start of the 2026 offseason, owner Mark Davis didn’t just announce a coaching change - he laid out a new power structure. According to Davis, newly appointed General Manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady would “lead all football operations” together, with a focus on leadership, culture, and long-term alignment.
On paper, it sounded like a clear, unified front. Spytek and Brady were set to spearhead the search for the next head coach and help steer the franchise into a new era. But as the weeks have passed and the coaching carousel continues to spin, questions are piling up - and answers remain hard to come by.
Confusion Mounts Around Brady’s Involvement
Over the weekend, the Raiders conducted a second interview with Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, signaling he's very much in play for the job. But while that was happening in Las Vegas, Tom Brady was on the other side of the country, appearing on the broadcast for the NFC Championship Game. That timing didn’t go unnoticed - and it’s fueling confusion.
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero addressed the situation on The Rich Eisen Show, and his comments painted a picture of uncertainty surrounding Brady’s actual involvement.
“There are parts of the process that he’s been really involved in,” Pelissero said. “But this current round of interviews? It sounds like he’s not involved at all.”
That’s not just a curious development - it’s potentially a significant issue for a franchise that’s trying to pitch stability and vision to top coaching candidates. When Mark Davis said Brady would be part of the process, both fans and candidates took that at face value. So when Brady is MIA during second-round interviews, it raises an obvious question: Who’s really running the show?
Candidates Left Wondering: Who’s in Charge?
Pelissero noted that Klint Kubiak - the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator and one of the more intriguing names in this cycle - is expected to get a second interview with the Raiders after the Super Bowl. But even that comes with a caveat: Kubiak reportedly may not be looking to take a head coaching job this year.
And across the board, Pelissero said, candidates are walking out of interviews with the Raiders asking the same thing: What exactly is the structure here?
“You’ve got Tom Brady, who, ostensibly, is running the football operation along with John Spytek - that’s directly from Mark Davis,” Pelissero said. “And yet, people come out of interviews going, ‘Who’s actually in charge?
What am I walking into here? Tom lives in Miami.
How is he co-running football ops from 2,000 miles away?’”
That kind of ambiguity isn’t just a red flag - it’s a potential deal-breaker for coaches weighing multiple offers. Especially in a division stacked with head coaching heavyweights like Andy Reid, Sean Payton, and Jim Harbaugh, clarity and cohesion at the top matter more than ever.
Raiders Lagging Behind in the Coaching Race
While the Raiders continue to sort out their internal dynamics, other teams are moving quickly and decisively. Pelissero pointed to the Buffalo Bills as the most attractive job still available - and for good reason.
“They’ve got Josh Allen. That makes it a really, really intriguing job,” he said. “If any of these candidates are in the mix for multiple jobs, Buffalo is going to get the one they want.”
That’s a sobering reality for Raider Nation. The list of candidates reportedly in play for both the Raiders and Bills includes Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb, former Giants head coach Brian Daboll, Joe Brady, and Kubiak. If Buffalo lands Webb or Kubiak, and the Raiders are left choosing between Daboll and Joe Brady - with no clear leadership structure to lean on - the franchise could find itself settling for a Plan C.
Brady’s Role Was Meant to Be a Game-Changer - So Far, It’s Not
Tom Brady’s presence in the Raiders' front office was supposed to be a stabilizing force. A future Hall of Famer with unmatched pedigree, Brady was expected to help the franchise attract top-tier talent, both on the field and on the sideline. But with his involvement in the coaching search unclear - and with candidates reportedly confused by the process - that vision hasn’t materialized.
The quarterback situation will likely be addressed in the draft, but the head coach? That’s still very much up in the air. And if the Raiders don’t get this hire right, they risk squandering yet another offseason - and the credibility that Brady was supposed to bring to the table.
For now, the Silver and Black are still searching - not just for a head coach, but for clarity, cohesion, and the kind of leadership structure that inspires confidence. Until that happens, the questions will keep coming.