The Las Vegas Raiders brought in Tom Brady for one reason: to help fix a franchise stuck in neutral. Now that reset is taking shape with a familiar formula – hire people Brady trusts, build around power football, and let a proven culture-builder set the tone. The question isn’t whether this approach will work, but how quickly it can transform a team that’s been searching for an identity for years.
How Did Tom Brady’s Influence Shape the Raiders’ Offseason Moves?
After years of turnover and fits and starts, owner Mark Davis decided to get some extra help. Seven-time Super Bowl champion Brady came on board as a minority owner and was almost immediately empowered to imprint himself on the team and influence its moves in the front office and on the field.
The Brady effect showed up quickly in the Raiders’ hiring decisions. They brought in John Spytek, who worked with Brady in Tampa, as the general manager. Then came the most intriguing move: hiring 73-year-old Pete Carroll as head coach.
At first glance, it might seem odd to hire a grandfather to lead a rebuilding team. However, Carroll’s energy and history of setting the tone for a team’s culture make it easy to see why the Raiders turned to him. His successful stints with USC and the Seattle Seahawks prove he knows how to get organizations pointed in the right direction.
The offensive philosophy became clear immediately. One of the core tenets of Carroll’s approach is building around a powerful running game. So it came as no surprise when the Raiders drafted running back Ashton Jeanty sixth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Boise State.
Will Ashton Jeanty See the Field Against the 49ers?
If you’re wondering whether Jeanty will play, that’s almost a lock. Carroll may be a forward-thinking, progressive, player-friendly coach, but he’s old school when it comes to playing time in the preseason. He believes in getting all his players some game-speed action to prepare them for the regular season.
Ashton Jeanty
Historically elite prospect who broke my RB rookie model with 101.3 grade.
Excited to see this super star get serious game action soon. pic.twitter.com/9gkakVxFir
— Elite Drafters (@Elite_Drafters) August 15, 2025
That includes starters like Jeanty, defensive end Maxx Crosby, and quarterback Geno Smith.
Meanwhile, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan takes a different approach with his starters during the preseason. Superstar running back Christian McCaffrey is coming off an injury-plagued 2024, so Shanahan will likely keep him out of game action until games start to count.
The coach also has several key players on the mend who will be crucial to the passing game.
The injury situation creates both challenges and opportunities for San Francisco. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is still recovering from knee surgery and remains on the PUP list. Disgruntled wide receiver Jauan Jennings is dealing with a lingering calf injury. That means wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will have a chance to shine against the Raiders’ defense.
Both teams enter Saturday’s contest looking to build momentum. The Raiders and 49ers have been holding joint practices this week in Henderson, Nevada, so there will be some familiarity on the field when they meet at Allegiant Stadium.
The matchup takes on added significance as both clubs search for their first preseason victory. The Raiders sit at 0-0-1 after tying the Seattle Seahawks 23-23, while the 49ers are 0-1 following a 30-9 loss to the Denver Broncos.
