Tom Brady Lays Groundwork for Raiders' Resurgence

As minority owner, Brady works closely with GM to rebuild struggling franchise through free agency and the draft.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 9:07pm

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Tom Brady, the Raiders' de facto president of football operations, is working side by side with general manager John Spytek to rebuild the struggling franchise. After a disastrous 3-14 season in 2025, the duo has been active in free agency, signing several key players to improve the roster. They also hold the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and are expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Brady, drawing on his extensive playing experience and seven Super Bowl wins, emphasizes the importance of resilience, discipline, and communication throughout the entire organization to achieve success.

Why it matters

The Raiders have been one of the NFL's worst teams in recent years, and Brady's involvement as a minority owner and de facto president of football operations represents a significant effort to turn the franchise around. His leadership and experience, combined with the team's high draft pick and free agent signings, could help the Raiders become competitive again in the near future.

The details

Brady and Spytek have been active in free agency, signing center Tyler Linderbaum from the Ravens, linebacker Nakobe Dean from the Eagles, linebacker Quay Walker from the Packers, and defensive end Kwity Paye from the Colts. The team also traded away pass rusher Maxx Crosby to the Ravens, only to bring him back after Baltimore nullified the deal. Despite the team's 3-14 record in 2025, Brady is confident that the organization is on the right track, emphasizing the importance of resilience, discipline, and communication throughout the entire organization.

  • The Raiders finished the 2025 season with a 3-14 record.
  • The Raiders hold the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and are expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

The players

Tom Brady

A seven-time Super Bowl champion and minority owner of the Raiders, who is serving as the team's de facto president of football operations.

John Spytek

The Raiders' general manager, who is working closely with Tom Brady to rebuild the franchise.

Fernando Mendoza

The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Indiana, who is expected to be the Raiders' first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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What they’re saying

“We certainly have a long ways to go.”

— Tom Brady

“It's a tremendous amount of resilience, adversity, discipline, determination and communication, of an entire organization to see the value in committing to one another.”

— Tom Brady

“It's always process over outcomes, and I think we're all trying, and all of us in our own role that we have, whether it's an ownership role or a personnel department or strength and conditioning, athletic training and obviously players and position coaches on offense and defense. Everyone's got to come together, and everyone has to work incredibly hard for the people next to them.”

— Tom Brady

What’s next

The Raiders will look to build on their offseason moves and draft selections as they aim to improve upon their 3-14 record from the 2025 season.

The takeaway

Tom Brady's involvement as a minority owner and de facto president of football operations for the Raiders represents a significant effort to turn around a struggling franchise. His leadership, experience, and emphasis on building a cohesive organization could be the key to the Raiders' resurgence in the coming years.