The Las Vegas Raiders enter the 2025 NFL season with new leadership on the sidelines — and a familiar face helping guide the franchise’s future. Former quarterback and current minority owner Tom Brady offered his insight on how new head coach Pete Carroll is settling in ahead of the Raiders’ Week 1 clash with Brady’s old team, the New England Patriots.
Carroll, who stepped away from coaching in 2024 after 15 successful years with the Seattle Seahawks, is now tasked with returning the Raiders to postseason relevance. The Silver and Black have made the playoffs just once since relocating to Las Vegas, and haven’t won a playoff game since the 2002 AFC Championship.
What Did Tom Brady Say About Pete Carroll?
Brady, widely considered the greatest quarterback of all time, has long surrounded himself with elite coaches and players. His influence was instrumental in the Raiders’ decision to hire Carroll, a proven winner with both a Super Bowl title (Seattle Seahawks, 2013 season) and two national championships at USC.
“Pete’s really done a tremendous job, like a lot of coaches with veteran experience are able to do,” Brady told Cris Collinsworth on Pro Football Focus. “They run a real program. Nothing really surprises them. Pete has had a tremendous record of success when he was at Seattle, obviously when he was at USC. He’s a tremendous coach and leader.”
Brady also pointed out that the AFC West is loaded with championship-caliber coaches, including Andy Reid (Chiefs), Sean Payton (Broncos), and Jim Harbaugh (Chargers). Having Carroll, Brady said, gives the Raiders a stabilizing leader capable of keeping pace in one of the toughest divisions in football.
Tom Brady on the Raiders’ Roster
For the past several seasons, the Raiders have struggled with roster depth compared to rivals like the Chiefs and Chargers. But according to Brady, the team has closed the gap this offseason with a series of big moves.
The Raiders traded for quarterback Geno Smith, addressing a major weakness after last year’s struggles at the position. Smith now joins forces with new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, first-round pick Ashton Jeanty, and last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year runner-up Brock Bowers. Together, they give the Raiders a young core with real upside.
“There’s definitely some good players,” Brady said. “They’ve proven, through the offseason, there’s a big commitment that those players have made.”
Raiders Outlook for 2025
With Pete Carroll steering the ship, Tom Brady’s ownership influence, and an upgraded roster, the Raiders are aiming to turn potential into results. Competing in the AFC West won’t be easy, but Raider Nation has reason to believe the franchise is building toward a playoff push not seen since their early 2000s glory days.
As Brady put it best, Carroll brings leadership and stability, while the roster has the foundation to compete. The Raiders’ mission is clear: close the gap on their rivals and bring postseason success back to Las Vegas.
