Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady is set to play a pivotal role in the team’s search for a new head coach following the dismissal of Pete Carroll after just one season.
It’s a bit of a surprising move. No more dramatic, however, than earlier this season when he ended up in the coach’s booth.
Brady, who acquired his stake in the franchise in October 2024, will collaborate closely with newly appointed general manager John Spytek to identify candidates who align with the organization’s vision for leadership and culture, owner Mark Davis announced.
“Moving forward, General Manager John Spytek will lead all football operations in close collaboration with Tom Brady, including the search for the club’s next head coach,” Davis said in a statement.
Tom Brady Will Need a Miracle
The Raiders, plagued by instability, are embarking on their fourth head coach search since 2022, coming off a dismal 3-14 season that secured them the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Davis emphasized the importance of Brady’s involvement, citing his experience and shared history with Spytek from their time at Michigan and with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With several other teams, including the Giants, Titans, Falcons, Browns, and Cardinals, also in the market for coaches, the Raiders will have difficulty making a big splash. Could this open the door for Bill Belichick‘s NFL return?
The Raiders will aim to rebuild around potential draft selections like Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza to address ongoing quarterback woes. That’s where Tom can add his expertise. The Brady move underscores the franchise’s ongoing quest for stability amid a string of short-tenured coaches, from Josh McDaniels to Antonio Pierce and now Carroll.
His commitment is clear. And he’ll do anything he can to nail down his guy for the foreseeable future.
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That Said …
All of that being said, Tom Brady actually had a significant say in the head coach hiring process in 2023, after Josh McDaniels was let go. And that led the Raiders to bring in Antonio Pierce (9-17), followed by Carroll (3-14).
So, while he is clearly a champion on the field, Brady’s off-the-field moves, or at least his feedback in those situations, have been suspect thus far.
As for the rumor mill, the strongest rumored favorite right now is Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who has direct ties to Brady from their overlapping time with the New England Patriots. Flores was on staff for much of Brady’s dynasty.
Multiple reports indicate Brady prefers Flores as head coach, potentially paired with former Giants head coach Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator to balance the staff for developing a likely rookie quarterback in Mendoza.