Not many things have gone right for the 2-12 Las Vegas Raiders this season. Pete Carroll and Geno Smith were supposed to come in and immediately make the Raiders a playoff contender. Instead, Smith is second in the NFL with 14 interceptions and the Raiders rank near the bottom of the league in just about every important metric.
Because of this, many expect Carroll to be a one-and-done head coach, meaning the Raiders will be on the hunt, once again, for someone new under the headset. That is where Tom Brady comes in. The seven-time Super Bowl champion has had quite the influence on the organization since becoming a minority owner, and NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero expect that to only grow in 2026.
"Legendary quarterback Tom Brady and his business partner Egon Durban have wielded significant influence since becoming Raiders minority owners last year," the insiders write. "Brady is close with former Michigan teammate and current GM John Spytek, with both serving as the sounding board for one another. While Spytek was Brady's GM target last year, Brady's prime target for head coach was Ben Johnson, who took the Bears job instead. Expect Brady -- who has spent little time in the Raiders building as he balances his broadcasting duties on Fox and other business interests -- to increase his presence as the decision closes in."
There are several names to keep an eye on, but specifically on the offensive side of the ball if Brady wanted Ben Johnson. Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak would likely by at the top of the list, as he has turned Seattle into the third-best scoring offense in the NFL. If Brady and the Raiders want more of a proven name, perhaps Mike McCarthy becomes a name to watch. Whomever it is, it feels more likely than not that the Raiders enter 2026 with their third head coach in three seasons.
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