Tom Brady Advised the Raiders Against Signing Sam Darnold, Likely Played a Part in Overlooking Shedeur Sanders in the Draft

The Las Vegas Raiders were considering signing Sam Darnold until part-owner Tom Brady advised against the move.

Tom Brady Advised the Raiders Against Signing Sam Darnold, Likely Played a Part in Overlooking Shedeur Sanders in the Draft

Sam Darnold and Tom Brady (Image Credits: IMAGO)

The Las Vegas Raiders have revamped themselves in the 2025 offseason. After finishing last season with a 4-13 record, the team fired Antonio Pierce for a Super Bowl-winning coach in Pete Carroll. The team received an upgrade at quarterback in Geno Smith. The Raiders entrusted part-owner Tom Brady to evaluate potential quarterbacks to target.

Brady had the option to pick from amongst veterans and rookies, he opted for the former. The seven-time Super Bowl winner picked amongst Sam Darnold, Smith, and Matthew Stafford. As per Mike Silver of The Athletic, Brady came to the conclusion that Darnold would not be the right fit in Las Vegas.

Stafford’s future was uncertain at the start of free agency, and he was the most-desirable prospect for the Raiders. Stafford’s game has not declined, and he knows what it takes to win a Super Bowl. Unfortunately, the Los Angeles Rams were able to keep Stafford in SoFi. This compelled Brady and Raiders general manager John Spytek to make a decision fast, and pick Geno Smith.

It is interesting to note that Brady had the opportunity to boss over a former rival and a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. But, neither him or Spytek were interested with the prospect of bringing Rodgers aboard. The team is looking for an experienced quarterback, but not one whose future remains uncertain.

Rodgers will turn 42 this year, but there is no guarantee that he will return for another season. This factor is likely to have brought down the team’s interest in Rodgers. Smith was the best option because he fit in perfectly within the criterion set by the Raiders, and has history of working well with Carroll.

Tom Brady and the Raiders had no interest in drafting Shedeur Sanders

Since Brady was responsible for the quarterback evaluation process, it is understood that the team would have relied on him to decide on picking Shedeur Sanders in the Draft. After the Colorado star fell to 144th overall in the draft, Brady had absolved himself from any criticism by clarifying that he had no part to play in that.

Sam Darnold (2)
Sam Darnold (Image Credit: Getty Images)

I wasn’t a part of any evaluation process or to see that.

Tom Brady had told reporters when asked about his involvement in evaluating Sanders

The GOAT’s opinion was likely influenced by the coaching staff. The assistant coaches were not keen to bring a rookie and spend years developing him into a star. Their reluctance to do so led the Raiders to pick Smith as the perfect candidate, and select running back Ashton Jeanty instead.

The Seahawks signed Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal after Smith’s departure. Fortunately, Smith is in a better place, as the Seahawks have traded their top receivers and appear to be rebuilding. Considering the tumultuous seasons that the Raiders have had in recent years, they will enter the 2025-26 season with much-needed stability.

A close look at the team’s roster is enough to induce hope into the fanbase. Smith at quarterback, Ashton Jeanty in the backfield, and Brock Bowers at tight end, and Chip Kelly at offensive coordinator, that combination does not sound too bad at all, now does it?

It is hard to gauge what the expectations are from the Raiders this season. This is a team that would view an 8-win season or a first-round playoff exit as a win. It will be a significant improvement over last year’s record. However, it is hard to attach the words ‘Super Bowl contender’ alongside the Raiders franchise, because while the team did get better, they are not yet there, but this is a positive step in the right direction.

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