With question marks up and down their lineup, an eventful offseason may be in store for the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Raiders already shocked many when they announced Pete Carroll as their new head coach earlier this offseason. The 73-year-old joins with plenty of strong NFL experience and potential sway in bringing certain players into the organization.
Someone else who may attract players is minority owner Tom Brady. The seven-time Super Bowl champion is extremely involved behind the scenes, but will his presence make much of an impact? Some NFL analysts think so, while others shot down the idea.
Does Brady Truly Make An Impact On Free Agency and Trade Market?
Raiders reporter Vincent Bonsignore thinks that Brady’s presence and recruiting could persuade some big names to pack their bags for Sin City.
“Something to keep an eye on, per sources: the persuasiveness of Tom Brady as a recruiter for the Raiders,” Bonsignore posted on X. “It will make things interesting during free agency. And maybe even in the trade market. It’s why you can’t rule out Matthew Stafford as an option.”
Something to keep an eye on, per sources: the persuasiveness of Tom Brady as a recruiter for the @Raiders. It will make things interesting during free agency. And maybe even in the trade market. It's why you can't rule out Matthew Stafford as an option.
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) February 23, 2025
With Las Vegas clearly in the market for a quarterback, Bonsignore suggests Stafford as someone who Brady could try to recruit to the Raiders given his current stalemate with the Los Angeles Rams.
While Bonsignore seems confident that Brady will have an impact, NFL on NBC’s Chris Simms and Mike Florio were less convinced that he’ll be able to influence players to join the Raiders.
“It will be minimal this year,” Simms said of Brady’s impact. “I don’t think that’s gonna be forever, but I don’t think they’re a team right now that Tom Brady’s gonna make the difference for.”
Simms went on to discuss that the Raiders are still in the lower tier of NFL teams in terms of competing for a championship. Once they solidify themselves as an elite squad, as they once were, that is when Simms believes Brady’s persuasion will come into play.
Florio echoed Simms’ statement and took a hilarious shot at the Raiders in the process.
“Tom Brady’s free agency impact on the Raiders will inevitably be hyped up into something more than it was,” Florio said. “That’s the Las Vegas way, it’s glitz and glamour and bull****.”
Who Could Brady Recruit to the Raiders?
There’s no question the Raiders need serious help at numerous key positions. None may be more important than running back, though. Following the departure of Josh Jacobs, the Raiders leaned on a running-back-by-committee for the 2024 season.
Their leading rusher recorded an abysmal 420 yards (Alexander Mattison). Ameer Abdullah, Sincere McCormick, and Zamir White followed Mattison in that order. While McCormick and White only played in a combined 13 games, their potential as RB1 appears minimal.
PFSN predicts that Las Vegas will look to add free agent running back Najee Harris, who has rushed for 1,000-plus yards in four straight seasons. In PFSN’s Free Agent Predictions, Ben Rolfe writes:
“Najee Harris stands out as a potential target at running back. While not an exciting option, he is a durable option with a proven history as both a runner and a receiver. Harris has topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first four seasons and has a 74-catch season on his resume. If Pete Carroll wants the next version of Marshawn Lynch for this team, Harris could be that player.”
Rolfe suggests the Raiders may also be in the market for the following free agents: Darius Slayton, Jarran Reed, Dante Fowler Jr., Zack Baun, Bobby Wagner, and Julian Blackmon.
Can Brady get these players or others to seriously consider the Raiders after a four-win season?
It’s worth noting that Brady was a fantastic recruiter throughout his stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, helping get players such as Leonard Fournette, Rob Gronkowski, and Antonio Brown to join the team (while also encouraging numerous players to re-sign with Tampa Bay, including some on team-friendly deals).
Many of these players wanted to play alongside the GOAT, so it will be interesting to see if his recruiting efforts are as effective when he’s simply a minority owner and not under center.
