Tom Brady made a return to the *Let’s Go! * podcast this week, stepping back into the spotlight for a segment that touched on familiar ground - leadership, adversity, and the quarterback position.
This time, the focus was on Patrick Mahomes, who’s currently navigating the same ACL injury that sidelined Brady back in 2008. Brady offered insight drawn from his own recovery, sharing advice with the kind of clarity and perspective you’d expect from someone who’s been through the NFL’s physical and mental grind.
But while the conversation hit on Mahomes and the challenges of bouncing back from a major injury, there was a noticeable silence around another topic that’s been heating up in NFL circles: the Las Vegas Raiders. Brady, of course, holds a minority ownership stake in the franchise - and by all accounts, he’s not just a silent partner.
Yet during the episode, not a single question was asked about the Raiders. Not one mention.
That silence stands out, especially considering the current state of the team. The Raiders are in the middle of a brutal stretch, having just wrapped up their eighth straight loss - a skid punctuated by a jaw-dropping 75-yard offensive performance that ranks among the worst in recent memory.
This isn’t just a slump; it’s a full-blown crisis. And with Brady sitting right there, it felt like the perfect opportunity to get his perspective - or at the very least, acknowledge the situation.
Adding to the oddity? Right after Brady’s segment ended, the show pivoted to its regular interview with Raiders star Maxx Crosby. So the team was on the docket - just not when the part-owner was on the mic.
Now, there are plenty of reasonable, even friendly, questions that could’ve been tossed Brady’s way. What’s going wrong with the Raiders?
What’s the vision for the offseason? How involved will he be in shaping that future?
These aren’t gotcha questions - they’re the kind of things any engaged owner would expect to be asked when the team is struggling.
And sure, Brady and host Jim Gray have a longstanding relationship, both professionally and personally. But even within that dynamic, there was room for a little accountability.
Something as simple as, “Do you feel you’ve done enough?” or “How hands-on are you planning to be moving forward?”
would’ve gone a long way in giving fans some clarity.
Instead, the absence of any mention of the Raiders only underscores how removed Brady currently appears from the mess in Vegas. When things are going well, ownership tends to step into the frame. But when the wheels come off - as they clearly have for the Raiders - silence can speak volumes.
That’s not to say Brady won’t be part of the solution down the line. If the Raiders turn things around, you can bet he’ll be front and center, helping lead the celebration and shaping the narrative. But right now, with the team in freefall, his absence from the conversation is impossible to ignore.
The Raiders are in desperate need of leadership, direction, and a clear plan forward. Whether Brady steps into that role in a meaningful way remains to be seen. But for now, he's keeping his distance - and the silence is louder than any soundbite.