If there was any doubt that Tom Brady is a minority owner of the Raiders in name only, major shareholder Mark Davis clarified the situation as he began the search for the franchise’s 15th head coach since the turn of the century.
Brady, who had his minority stake in the Raiders approved by the NFL (National Football League) last season, was at the team’s facilities to coordinate Las Vegas’ planning for 2026 with the board. The first step was the firing of Pete Carroll, who finished his only season with a record of 3 wins and 14 losses, the worst in the league.
“Going 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 brief statement Monday.
But the message was clear and unequivocal: Brady is in charge of decisions in Las Vegas, a franchise with a cumulative record of 21 wins and 47 losses since the end of the 2021 season.
Public and private consternation among NFL team owners arose when the league approved Brady’s ownership stake in the Raiders at the same time he had access to assistant coaches and players during game-week production meetings for his other job as a Fox Sports game analyst.
Brady also has influence on the next big decision awaiting the Raiders: how to invest the first overall draft pick. He has been full of praise for Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner for the undefeated Hoosiers and currently the betting favorite to be the No. 1 pick in April.
The Raiders haven’t had a No. 1 pick since 2007. That time, they selected LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who was a disappointment under then-coach Lane Kiffin.
Davis didn’t need to introduce Spytek and Brady, who were college teammates at Michigan. Spytek, previously the Buccaneers’ assistant general manager, was also instrumental in bringing Brady to Tampa Bay as a free agent in 2020.
“Our view of football is similar,” Spytek said. “But it’s not the same thing. We have a lot of arguments and disagreements, and I’m not afraid to tell him that. I think that’s why he likes me. But I think we have similar views. We’ve both had a lot of success with that perspective, and I think we know what we want, and now it’s up to us to go after it.”
The Raiders’ head coaches (including interims) since 2000 have been: Pete Carroll (2025), Antonio Pierce (2023-24), Josh McDaniels (2022-23), Rich Bisaccia (2021), Jon Gruden (2018-21, 1998-2001), Jack Del Rio (2015-17), Tony Sparano (2014), Dennis Allen (2012-14), Hue Jackson (2011), Tom Cable (2008-10), Lane Kiffin (2007-08), Art Shell (2006), Norv Turner (2004-05) and Bill Callahan (2001-02).
