The Las Vegas Raiders organization has faced a period of underperformance in recent years. Since the 2021 season, the Raiders have not achieved a winning record or secured a playoff berth. Over this span, the team has failed to win more than eight games, culminating in a particularly challenging 3-14 season in 2025. This outcome led to the team holding the top overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Tom Brady, who holds a minority ownership stake in the Raiders and also serves as a prominent sports analyst, recently delivered a pointed message to the organization during an appearance on the "Stick to Football" podcast.
Brady's Candid Critique
"I would expect a lot of improvement from where it’s been. Last year, we just underperformed in every area," Brady stated. "And it’s everybody’s fault. That’s the reality."
"There’s nobody who did a good job. There’s not one player in the organization, there’s not anybody involved that did the job to the level that it needs to be done at. And everybody needs to improve. And it starts with me, and it filters down to the rest of the players on the field, and they’ve got to go out there, and ultimately they’ve got to perform at a high level."
Brady articulated his expectation for "massive improvement" across the board, noting the extensive personnel changes implemented throughout the team, from coaching staff to on-field players. He further suggested that consistent practice and game experience should lead to a noticeable progression in a strong team's performance from the start to the conclusion of the season.
Organizational Overhaul and Expectations
In the offseason, the team appointed Klint Kubiak as its new head coach. Kubiak previously contributed to the Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl victory. To bolster their roster, the Raiders used their top draft selection on quarterback Fernando Mendoza and also brought in veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, intensifying the competition in the quarterback room. Additionally, the team secured several other key acquisitions, including Tyler Linderbaum, Quay Walker, Kwity Payne, Connor Heyward, and Jalen Nailor.
The Las Vegas squad is scheduled to commence its season in Week 1 on September 13, facing off against the Miami Dolphins.