Tom Brady already has a foot in the door with the Las Vegas Raiders as a minority owner. But with the franchise in full-blown freefall, some are wondering if the GOAT should be doing more than just watching from the owner's box.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith didn’t mince words this week, suggesting that Brady should take the reins of football operations in Las Vegas.
The idea? Let the most decorated quarterback in NFL history try to steer this ship out of the storm.
“Not that you can, because he’s not going to leave the job that he’s got at Fox paying him over $37 million to run the damn Raiders,” Smith said. “He ain’t stupid at all. But ask him anyways.”
Now, it’s a long shot-Brady’s broadcasting deal is massive, and he’s just getting started in that chapter of his post-playing career. But Smith’s point echoes a growing sentiment: things are so bad in Vegas right now, it might be time to consider bold, outside-the-box leadership.
Let’s be real-this Raiders season has been a disaster. At 2-12, they’re staring down one of the worst records in the league.
The quarterback decision? A swing and a miss.
The team brought in Geno Smith, handed him an extension, and hoped he’d be a steady veteran presence. Instead, he’s struggled mightily, ranking near the bottom of the league in most major quarterback metrics.
It’s been a tough watch.
And that’s just the start. Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, who came in with plenty of promise, hasn’t had much of a chance to show what he can do.
The offensive line has been porous all year, with Jeanty often getting hit before he can even make his first cut. At one point, he had more yards after contact than total rushing yards-a stat that says everything about how often he’s been met in the backfield.
It’s not just about bad luck or injuries. This is about decision-making at the top, and right now, that decision-making isn’t getting it done.
Would Tom Brady fix everything overnight? Of course not.
Running an NFL front office is a different beast than running a two-minute drill. But Brady’s football IQ, leadership, and relentless attention to detail are legendary.
And it’s hard to imagine him doing worse than what we’ve seen this season.
The Raiders, for their part, wouldn’t say no if Brady expressed interest in a bigger role. He’s already in the building, and his presence alone carries weight in any NFL room. While it’s unlikely he walks away from his lucrative media gig, the idea of Brady stepping into a more hands-on role in Vegas is at least intriguing.
At the very least, it’s a conversation worth having-because when your season’s gone this far off the rails, everything should be on the table.