It’s the Brady Bunch in Sin City.
Tom Brady is “running everything in Vegas” as the Raiders’ minority owner, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini said on “The Ryen Russillo podcast.”
Las Vegas just made two critical hires in head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek, whom Brady knew from his time with the Buccaneers and college days at Michigan.
“Let’s just start with making it really clear that Tom Brady is running everything in Vegas,” Russini said. “It’s all Tom Brady. I think there’s some rumors, some chatter — I’m telling you, this is all Tom Brady there. … He is trying to do it and change the Raiders and have a tremendous amount of influence on them.”
Many wondered when Brady joined the Raiders as a minority owner just what level of power he would wield and indications are owner Mark Davis is entrusting him with returning the franchise to its glory days.
Early reports noted Brady would have a role in the team’s coaching search after moving on from Antonio Pierce, but Brady has reportedly now taken on a leading role.
The future Hall of Famer attempted to woo former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to Sin City, with the Raiders even being pegged as the favorites due to Brady’s presence and a massive offer.
Johnson ultimately opted to coach last year’s No. 1 pick, quarterback Caleb Williams, and the Bears, spurning Brady despite a reported Zoom call that Russillo mentioned.
“The pitch to Ben Johnson has to be layered in Bradyisms,” Russini said. “Ben Johnson had to feel like we’re going to do this the right way, I’m going to do this with you. We’re in lockstep. We’re together. We’re a team. Not so much, I’m owner, your coach. And I think that was really enticing to Ben Johnson.”
Russini continued: “I get why Brady was after him. And Brady was enamored with him. He thought he was a brilliant coach.”
That desire to land Johnson even factored into the team’s decision to move on from general manager Tom Telesco, per Russini.
In moving on from Telesco, the team had an added bonus to offer to Johnson in that he could help pick his own general manager.
It had previously been reported that Brady nudged Davis to move on to offer a fresh start, and most pundits believe it’s better to hire a new coach and general manager at the same time.
With Johnson out of the picture, the team instead turned to someone with deep ties to Brady in Spytek. Spytek had been serving as the Buccaneers’ assistant general manager.
The 73-year-old Carroll and Spytek will have their work cut out for them in a division with the back-to-back champions and three playoff teams.
“He’s not working with a lot there,” Russini said of the Raiders. “We know they don’t have a quarterback, that roster’s not great, outside Maxx Crosby (and Brock Bowers).”
Beyond the Brady-approved hirings, Russini noted that Brady’s influence on the franchise is already taking place behind the scenes, including his longtime trainer, Alex Guerrero, heading west.
“Even his own TB12 programs are being installed there, so to speak,” Russini said. “Alex Guerrero’s out there. He’s going to be working some of the players.”
When he’s not making hiring calls for the Raiders, Brady is serving as an analyst for Fox Sports and will be on the mic for Sunday’s NFC Championship game between the Commanders and Eagles.
