The Las Vegas Raiders are entering a new era in the franchise’s history. With a new owner, Tom Brady, and a new head coach, Pete Carroll, the team is looking to turn the page on a rough few seasons and shift their focus to the upcoming seasons.
However, with a veteran and a true student of the game like Brady in charge, it remains to be seen how the decision-making process shapes out. Some owners, like Jerry Jones, take on the general manager role for the team as well, whereas some look to appoint personnel for the decisions. Thanks to Carroll, we have a brief idea of what the current situation in Vegas looks like.
Is Tom Brady Helping Pete Carroll With Decisions?
Last year, the final as part of the previous regime, was a rough one for the Raiders. The team finished 4-13 and snagged the sixth pick in the draft. But on both ends of the football, they were near or well within the bottom 10. In PFSN’s offense+ metric, the Raiders finished the year 29th, with a D grade.
However, there is optimism in the fanbase with some true heavy-hitters leading the charge. But, between a legendary head coach and the all-time greatest quarterback in league history, who’s really calling the shots?
According to Carroll, it is a two-way street and a two partnership. Speaking to SiriusXM NFL Radio, he revealed, “We [alongside GM John Spytek] get a hold of Tom a number of times every day.
“He’s not in the building but he’s on call, whether we texted him, catching him at ballgames with the kids, or skiing, whatever he’s doing, calling games. He has been on call for us so it’s been really fun.”
"He has been on call for us." @Raiders HC Pete Carroll says Tom Brady has been a great resource for him and GM John Spytek.
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— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) February 26, 2025
The joint partnership seems to be working like a treat for the former Super Bowl-winning head coach. Moreover, he even spoke glowingly about Spytek, who joined the team with a long history alongside Brady.
“I’ve just been so impressed. He came in from a relationship with Tom Brady and he knew him back in the day and he recommended him, and I can see why. As competitive as anybody I’ve been around, tough-minded. He’s got a clear image and approach to the kind of people he likes to have represent him. And we see eye-to-eye on all of that.”
Spytek overlapped with Brady for all three of his seasons in Tampa, Florida. Carroll’s comments come nearly a month after veteran NFL insider Dianna Russini made public the involvement Brady had in the team.
“Let’s just start with making it really clear that Tom Brady is running everything in Vegas. It’s all Tom Brady,” Russini revealed on the Jan. 24 episode of The Ryen Russillo Podcast. “I’m telling you, it’s all Tom Brady there. I mean, even his own TB12 programs are being installed, so to speak.”
Brady has a clear direction he wants Las Vegas to follow. Now, it remains to be seen how that direction pans out for the once-heralded Raiders franchise.