LAS VEGAS -- Tom Brady has been the most decorated winner the NFL has ever seen, securing seven Super Bowl titles during his illustrious playing career. But after a most disastrous way to end a season in Las Vegas, Mark Davis believes that the future of the franchise belongs in his hands.
On Monday morning, Tom Brady signaled his immediate arrival at Allegiant Stadium — the obsidian fortress often nicknamed "The Death Star" — with a dawn social media post featuring a flexed bicep emoji.
On Monday, Tom Brady posts a flex emoji at the Raiders Death Star@TomBrady @Raiders @NFL pic.twitter.com/HOG43esK1E
— MOHAMMAD ASIF ANSARI (@WriterMohammad) January 6, 2026
The image, capturing the sleek, futuristic aesthetic of the stadium’s dark-tinted glass and white LED bands, served as visual confirmation of the blockbuster announcement made by owner Mark Davis. Following the firing of head coach Pete Carroll after a 3-14 campaign, Davis has officially empowered Brady to lead the search for the team's next head coach alongside GM John Spytek.
DJ Cabanlong- The Sporting Tribune
Las Vegas Raiders newly hired General Manager John Spytek and Head Coach Pete Carroll speak to the media during a press conference, Monday January 27, 2025 in Henderson, Nev.
Also on Monday, the new regime received unsolicited advice from Colin Cowherd, who said on FS1’s The Herd that the franchise must avoid repeating the mistakes of the "New England culture" era under Josh McDaniels:
"I think it's a legitimate concern," Cowherd said. "[Brian] Flores is hyper intense. So is [Brian] Daboll. And it's interesting when I look at what I would do if I was the Raiders... I would hire Kevin Stefanski."
Cowherd argued that Stefanski functions as a teacher who could properly manage a young quarterback and a porous offensive line, contrasting him with the intense styles of Flores or Daboll.
Sources have suggested that proximity to Bill Belichick has not historically guaranteed coaching success, a reality the Raiders know all too well after players nearly quit under McDaniels. Cowherd’s verdict on the opening:
"I would hire Stefanski. I would give him Mendoza."
Mike Renner Connects Cerebral QB To Tom Brady’s Vision
DJ Cabanlong - The Sporting Tribune
Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady watches the Raiders Training Camp, Friday August 1, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.
The Las Vegas Raiders will have one of the most pivotal decisions in their history in April: the No. 1 overall pick. And at least one draft analyst believes the solution lies in a quarterback who mirrors Tom Brady’s own mental approach.
The franchise has been facing a distinct sense of déjà vu, holding the top selection for the first time since the 2007 JaMarcus Russell disaster. But CBS Sports analyst Mike Renner projects that the team will take University of California quarterback Fernando Mendoza to stabilize the position.
On Monday, Renner explained that while Mendoza is not a high-end athlete, the quarterback rarely makes mistakes and handles pressure well — traits that could appeal to the new minority owner:
"I think if Tom Brady gets this guy in a room, he is going to fall in love with how much Fernando Mendoza loves the game of football,” Renner said. “I think that's the biggest thing because when you watch him physically, you're not like 'slam dunk first overall pick.'"
The organization aims to secure the consistency that Raiders Nation has desired since the departure of Derek Carr. However, the Black & Silver is now tasked with evaluating whether Mendoza's intelligence can translate to "Let's win, baby!"