Could Tom Brady help steer one head coach to the Raiders?

Tom Brady is not officially a co-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, but he has still spent time around the team, and owner Mark Davis values his opinion. That could pave the way for one coach to land there, according to a new report.

Brady was present for the Raiders’ final practice of the season, sparking speculation that he might have a role in the team’s coaching search, according to Albert Breer of SI. If Brady does give input, Breer imagines he would strongly vouch for former Patriots teammate Mike Vrabel as a strong choice for the Las Vegas job.

Brady has been linked to the Raiders since he sought to buy a minority stake in the team last year. No deal has been finalized due to resistance from other NFL owners over the agreed purchase price, but the deal is certainly still in play.

Brady and Vrabel are known to be close, and Breer believes Vrabel would be at the top of any list Brady presented to Raiders ownership. Vrabel was recently let go by the Tennessee Titans despite making the playoffs three times in six seasons.

There had been previous reports suggesting that Brady would at least have Davis’ ear during the Raiders’ search. If true, Vrabel could certainly be counted as a viable candidate. However, it might alienate some players who have already made their minds up regarding who they want hired.

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Maxx Crosby Makes Clear Demand For Raiders’ Next HC

The Las Vegas Raiders have two big hirings to make this offseason at head coach and general manager after the team fired both during the season.

Interim head coach Antonio Pierce had a solid half-season, but Raiders owner Mark Davis will continue to look around the league for potential candidates while also keeping Pierce in mind.

However, a few players have come out in support of Pierce becoming the full-time head coach in 2024 and beyond, including star defensive end Maxx Crosby, who had a clear social media post in response to the idea of bringing Pierce back.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport suggested with his social media post that the next Raiders head coach will also play a role in how Crosby views his future with the team.

While he’s still under contract, Crosby is one of the best players on the Raiders and could signal to management that Pierce’s installment as full-time head coach could ensure Crosby stays as well.

This is a big inflection point for the Raiders, who failed to replace Jon Gruden after letting him go two years ago.

Josh McDaniels didn’t perform up to expectations and was fired midway through the his second season with the team.

But with Pierce, the Raiders looked reinvigorated and were also making a playoff push at the end of the season despite their long odds to make it.

Pierce doesn’t have the same experience level as some of the high top candidates out there, but the players clearly enjoyed playing for him this year.