During Pete Carroll’s introductory press conference with the Las Vegas Raiders, one theme stood out: Tom Brady. Carroll mentioned Brady so frequently that even he questioned whether he had said the quarterback’s name “too much” when a reporter brought it up. However, having a seven-time Super Bowl champion as a part of your team must feel rewarding.
“When [Mark Davis] figured out how valuable it would be to put Tom Brady in this mix and bring that kind of football background in history, he made a great move,” Carroll boasted. “It’s our job to celebrate that for Mark and ensure this comes to life as it should, highlighting both the immediate and long-term possibilities for the team.”
#RAIDERS HC Pete Carroll speaks about the hiring process Mark Davis and his group had, including how valuable Tom Brady is. #RAIDERNATION pic.twitter.com/oQ4fr47A2O
— Harry Ruiz (@harryruiz) January 27, 2025
Mark Davis had envisioned bringing Tom Brady on as a minority owner of the Raiders, while Fox secured Brady with a $375 million contract to be their lead NFL analyst. Brady aims to juggle both roles, yet it seems increasingly challenging as expectations for his involvement with the Raiders rise. Prior to Carroll’s hiring, Dianna Russini reported that Brady is essentially “running everything in Vegas,” and Carroll’s comments did little to dispute that narrative.
“It’s our mission to build this football team around the quarterback position. We are fortunate to have the greatest of all time to guide us, and we’re going to lean on Tom for his insights because he possesses a unique perspective,” said Carroll. He described working with Brady as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” noting Brady’s intricate involvement with the franchise.
While having Brady in their corner is a significant advantage, the Raiders must navigate the dual challenges of harnessing his on-field expertise while managing his obligations with Fox. Despite Brady insisting he plans to fulfill his 10-year contract with Fox, balancing the demands from both his broadcasting role and the Raiders appears to be a formidable task.
