Pete Carroll, embarking on his first season as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025 after a 14-year stint with the Seattle Seahawks from 2010 to 2023, is leaning heavily on the influence of minority owner Tom Brady to turn the franchise around. The Raiders, coming off a dismal 4-13 record in 2024 that left them last in the AFC West, tapped the veteran coach to bring stability and success. Carroll, speaking on the “Brock & Salk” show on May 16, 2025, revealed how Brady’s involvement as a minority owner shifted his perspective on joining the team, calling it “one of the great opportunities of all time” due to Brady’s strong presence within the organization.
Brady, who became a minority owner of the Raiders in October 2024 and also holds a stake in the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, brings a wealth of experience with seven Super Bowl rings from his playing career. Carroll emphasized the impact of Brady’s mentality, saying, “We’re trying to infuse Tom’s mentality… because it’s so good and so unique and so one of a kind.” He highlighted his close relationship with Brady, noting, “We’re phone buddies… we’ve talked a ton of times, and talking philosophy with Tom, you can imagine what a thrill it is because he’s the all-time competitor.” Carroll also pointed to Brady’s long-standing connection with GM John Spytek, which has helped align the team’s vision.
The Raiders’ new leadership trio—Carroll, Spytek, and Brady—is focused on building a “one-of-a-kind franchise,” as Carroll put it. Despite Brady’s physical absence from the team facility—he’s only visited once since Carroll’s hiring—their frequent phone conversations about philosophy and competition have been instrumental in shaping the team’s direction. This dynamic comes at a critical time for Las Vegas, which kicks off the 2025 season on September 7 against Brady’s former team, the New England Patriots, at 1:00 PM ET on CBS, a matchup that carries extra weight given Brady’s history and his role in attracting Carroll to the job.
Las Vegas fans are hopeful this new era can reverse the team’s fortunes after years of inconsistency. The Raiders’ schedule, which includes tough tests like a Week 3 clash with the Chiefs and a Week 9 matchup against the Bills, will challenge Carroll’s ability to implement Brady’s winning mindset. With Brady’s influence permeating the organization and Carroll’s proven track record—he led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title in 2014—the Raiders are banking on this partnership to bring them back to contention. As the season approaches, all eyes will be on how this collaboration translates to the field.
