For the fourth time since 2022, the Las Vegas Raiders are again on the hunt for a new head coach. This time, however, they have the assistance of an NFL icon. Minority owner Tom Brady will be collaborating with general manager John Spytek to identify the right candidate after the recent dismissal of Pete Carroll, who lasted just one season in Las Vegas.
Mark Davis, the Raiders’ owner, announced that “General Manager John Spytek will now lead all football operations, including the search for the club’s next head coach, working closely with Tom Brady.” When Carroll joined the team after the firing of Antonio Pierce last year, there was a sense of optimism due to his Super Bowl experience and the acquisition of veteran quarterback Geno Smith.
Unfortunately, the season proved disastrous, culminating in only three wins and fourteen losses—tying for the worst record in the league. Interestingly, the Raiders have the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, thanks to the New York Giants’ victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18, which improved the Giants to a 4-13 record. This pick is critical and could lead the Raiders to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, which seems fitting for a quarterback-needy team.
But before they can make that selection, it’s vital for the Raiders to ensure their roster is heading in a positive direction, and finding a head coach is a key part of that process. Davis emphasized that “together, they will guide football decisions with a shared focus on leadership, culture, and alignment with the organization’s long-term vision and goals.”
Brady and Spytek have maintained communication since before Spytek’s hiring last year. While they had a brief stint as teammates at Michigan, Spytek’s previous involvement with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—where Brady spent his last years—adds a layer of familiarity to their partnership.
This offseason, they’ll be competing against several other teams seeking a new head coach, including the Giants, Titans, Falcons, Browns, and Cardinals. The Falcons, Browns, and Cardinals all made head coaching changes on “Black Monday,” which occurs the day after the NFL’s regular season ends.
The Raiders had initially hired Josh McDaniels as head coach in January 2022, a choice that connected back to Brady through McDaniels’ time as offensive coordinator with the Patriots. However, McDaniels was dismissed midway through the 2023 season, leading to Pierce stepping in as interim coach. Ultimately, Pierce was appointed full-time, aiming for a coaching style that emphasized offensive play.
Yet, things didn’t pan out for Pierce, and he was let go before Carroll took the reins. The Raiders are now eager to break this cycle and rely on Brady and Spytek to make a successful coaching hire.
