Tom Brady WILL NOT be a Las Vegas Raider, according to Moton.
Since the Raiders sputtered to end the 2019 season winning just one game out of their last six, I have said emphatically I still believe Derek Carr will be the starting quarterback when the Las Vegas Raiders take to the field for the first regular-season game. Even with reports of the Raiders pursuing New England Patriot’s free agent Tom Brady swirling, I still believe that will happen.
I don’t have any reason to believe that won’t happen despite the chatter, the wishes of those who don’t care for Carr or national media who can sway with the wind.
Still, yesterday’s report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter citing sources claiming Jon Gruden, Mike Mayock, and the Raiders will pursue Brady in free agency if he doesn’t resign with New England can’t simply be ignored nor dismissed.
Could it be posturing by someone to influence another move? Perhaps. Could it be a masterful game of chess by Mike Mayock or Gruden? Perhaps. Could there be any truth to it? Perhaps.
For those who want to stick their head in the sand and dismiss the report and discussion of Brady to Las Vegas, it’s probably best you click out now. For those willing to listen to why this move makes sense and why it doesn’t, read on.
If you buy into the narrative Carr is not the kind of quarterback Gruden covets to run his offense, even aging and end-of-the-line Brady makes some sense.
Brady has won six Super Bowl titles and three NFL MVP awards – his leadership is unquestioned. He demands respect in the huddle and with a young roster of talented players, he could be a welcomed addition. He’s also a player who brings a wealth of game experience and leadership. It’s not that Carr isn’t a leader, but Brady is on a different level.
Looking at the two quarterback’s stats from this past season, the numbers are eerily similar to Carr, with the Raiders QB actually fairing better in some categories.
| Player 2019 Stats | Record | Comp% | Yards | Y/A | TDs | INTs |
| Tom Brady | 12-4 | 60.8 | 4057 | 6.6 | 24 | 8 |
| Derek Carr | 7-9 | 70.4 | 4054 | 7.9 | 21 | 8 |
Despite the statistical dead-heat between the two players, the continued buzz around Gruden being frustrated with Carr lives on. That sometimes is perpetuated by the man himself who always pulls back from outright endorsing Carr as the team’s franchise quarterback when he can.
With Brady, there are still lots of unknowns. Although he holds all the cards on where he’ll be under center next season, Patriots owner Bob Kraft has repeatedly said he wants Brady to return for a 21st season and wants his QB to end his career in Boston.
With Brady tasting free agency for the first time in his career, flirting is going on and, according to Schefter, Gruden likes Brady and the two have a very good relationship.
It also would make a lot of sense from a business perspective. Although buzz for the Raiders in Las Vegas is growing each day, the marketing implications of a Brady to Las Vegas move would undoubtedly create an opportunity for the team to endear itself to its new market in a way unparalleled. Brady joining young stars like Josh Jacobs, Darren Waller, Maxx Crosby, and Jonathan Abram, would certainly make waves in their home market and around the NFL.
Do Gruden and Mayock think this team is close enough to jettison a young QB for a proven champion who’s looking for one last push to the promised land?
There’s no doubt Brady would bring something to the Raiders on the field they don’t have today. But would it make sense to dump a 28-year old quarterback in Carr (coming off one of his best seasons statistically) for an almost 43-year old veteran at the end of his career?
Carr is still a polarizing figure in Raider Nation. Despite a statistically excellent season, where he set new individual and franchise marks for efficiency, many in the fanbase and media don’t believe Gruden is happy long-term with the seven-year pro.
Looking at it simply: why would the Raiders, a young team on the rise, ditch a younger, efficient, good citizen quarterback who is progressing in an offensive system for a QB – no matter how accomplished – at the end of the line?
Carr made strides in his second season in Gruden’s complex offensive system and that can’t be emphasized enough. While many think too many excuses are made for Carr, his revolving door at offensive coordinator shouldn’t be overlooked or minimized.
During the 2019 season, in an interview with ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio, Carr said the differences between his first and second season under Gruden were like night and day.
“Year 2, we’re having a different level of conversations,” Carr told ESPN. “I have two offseasons under my belt, almost two training camps under my belt, I have a full year of experience under my belt, of knowing what checks he wants, what he wants me to get to, what his thought process is on third-and-short, on second-and-short, I know what routes he wants me checking to versus different looks. I’m doing my best just to execute this difficult offense. There’s just so much on the quarterback’s plate that it’s different from some of the other systems that I’ve been in.”
| Derek Carr Season | Comp % | Yards | Y/A | TDs | INTs | QB% |
| 2018 | 68.9 | 4049 | 7.3 | 19 | 10 | 93.9 |
| 2019 | 70.4 | 4054 | 7.9 | 21 | 8 | 100.8 |
Despite an increased comfort level in Gruden’s system in Year 2, and better individual performance, the Raiders still continued to struggle putting points on the board. In 2018, they ranked 28th in scoring offense with 18.1 points per game and improved in 2019 slightly climbing to 24th overall with 19.6 points per game. The Raiders and Carr both struggled terribly scoring in the second half of games in 2019.
Despite struggles in 2019 with scoring, there’s no question – especially early on – Carr looked far more comfortable and confident in the pocket and the results proved that. There have been no indications he doesn’t have the locker room and his teammates are quick to defend and stand by his side. That says a lot for a QB who divides a fanbase.
For the Raiders to make a move to an older quarterback, even if it is the GOAT, makes little sense when they have more pressing issues like a defense which must improve significantly to make a push to the playoffs. They have no linebacking corps, need help inside, at EDGE, and at cornerback and safety. At this point, even though QB is vital to winning in today’s NFL, building the rest of the roster to help their existing signal-caller makes more sense.
There’s my yin-and-yang to the Raiders making a push to go get Tom Brady – if that’s even possible. I’d still bet Tom Brady returns to end his career in New England and the Raiders draft a young backup to sit behind Derek Carr in 2020.
While I emphatically believe that is what will happen, I’ve also learned throughout my life to never say never. I thought it impossible the Raiders would trade Khalil Mack after Jon Gruden took the reigns of the Silver and Black.
One thing I can guarantee long-time Raiders fans and new converts here in Las Vegas: it will be a wild ride this spring and summer for Las Vegas’ NFL franchise.