The Las Vegas Raiders entered the 2025 NFL season with a sense of cautious optimism. A new regime was in place - Pete Carroll bringing his championship pedigree to the sideline, John Spytek stepping in as general manager, and Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback of all time, now part of the ownership group. Add in the hiring of Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator and the acquisition of veteran quarterback Geno Smith, and the Silver and Black looked like a team ready to turn the page.
But instead of a resurgence, the Raiders have stumbled into chaos. What was supposed to be a fresh start has turned into something worse than last year’s struggles. The team’s performance has been underwhelming across the board, and there’s no easy fix in sight.
From the front office to the coaching staff to the players on the field, this has been a collective failure. And perhaps most concerning - this isn’t a team with an obvious foundation to build on. The roster lacks young stars or cornerstone talent, and the team’s direction feels murky at best.
That uncertainty has opened the door for bold, even controversial, ideas. Enter Stephen A. Smith, who recently made waves with a suggestion that’s sure to split Raider Nation right down the middle.
Stephen A. Smith Calls for Tom Brady to Take Over Football Operations
On a recent episode of First Take, Smith didn’t hold back in his critique of the Raiders - or in his proposed solution.
“They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but the Raiders are so awful right now that the stench has circulated throughout the country,” Smith said. “Put Tom Brady in charge, Mark Davis. Just hand over the whole thing.”
Smith argued that Brady’s presence alone could help stabilize the franchise, even if he acknowledged the obvious roadblocks - namely Brady’s current role as a broadcaster with FOX Sports, where he’s reportedly earning more than $37 million per year. Still, Smith urged Davis to “figure out something,” suggesting that Brady should be given full control of football operations.
Now, let’s be clear: Brady’s football résumé as a player is unmatched. But running a team from the front office is a different ballgame altogether. Ownership and executive leadership require a different skill set - one that Brady hasn’t had the chance to demonstrate yet.
Great Players Don’t Always Make Great Executives
Smith’s suggestion taps into a familiar sports narrative: that greatness on the field should translate to greatness off it. But history tells us that’s far from guaranteed. Michael Jordan - the gold standard in NBA greatness - struggled to find consistent success as the lead decision-maker with the Charlotte Bobcats and later the Hornets.
Brady, of course, is still early in his post-playing career. He owns a minority stake in the Raiders - reportedly around 5% - and while he’s a highly visible figure, he’s not currently involved in day-to-day football decisions. Raiders owner Mark Davis has made it clear that he prefers to delegate those responsibilities, a notable departure from the hands-on approach of his late father, Al Davis.
So while Brady’s insight and presence are undoubtedly valuable, handing him the keys to the entire operation would be a massive leap of faith - especially without a track record to lean on.
The Real Fix: Get the Right Coach and Nail the Draft
The Raiders’ problems won’t be solved by a symbolic power shift. What they need is a clear football vision - and the right people to execute it. That starts with hiring the right head coach and giving John Spytek the runway to build the roster his way.
There’s a blueprint for how quickly things can turn around with the right leadership. Just look at what happened this offseason.
Three teams - the Patriots, Jaguars, and Bears - all came off losing seasons and made bold coaching hires. Now?
They’re a combined 31-11 and all look playoff-bound.
The common thread? Strong coaching hires and, crucially, young quarterbacks with upside.
That’s where Las Vegas is currently behind. They don’t have a young franchise QB waiting in the wings - not yet, anyway.
But that could change soon. With the way this season is trending, the Raiders are in prime position to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That’s a golden opportunity to reset the franchise with a top-tier quarterback prospect and a new head coach who can build a system around him.
Brady should absolutely have a voice in those decisions. His football IQ and experience are invaluable.
But full control? That’s a different conversation.
Until he proves he can evaluate talent, build a roster, and manage a front office, it’s hard to justify giving him the reins outright.
The Bottom Line
The Raiders are in a tough spot - there’s no sugarcoating that. The new regime hasn’t delivered, and the roster lacks the kind of foundational pieces that fuel quick turnarounds. But the answer isn’t throwing the keys to Tom Brady just because of what he did as a player.
This is a pivotal offseason for Las Vegas. They’ve got to get the coaching hire right.
They’ve got to hit on their draft picks - especially if they land that No. 1 pick. And they’ve got to build a cohesive vision for what Raiders football is supposed to look like in this new era.
Brady can help guide that process. But the heavy lifting?
That’s going to take more than a legendary name. It’s going to take smart, patient football decisions - the kind that build sustainable success.