Tom Brady makes FOX U-turn, QB pick secured | NFL News

The Las Vegas Raiders have their work cut out for them this offseason, with Tom Brady starting his first full season with the group and the NFL Draft on its manner. With a document of 4-13 and no playoffs for the third consecutive 12 months, Raiders followers will probably be hoping for some huge adjustments forward of the 2025 season.

NFL legend Brady acquired a 5% stake within the Raiders final 12 months, that means that he will probably be concerned considerably within the choices happening within the background, each earlier than the free company window opens and by the time the NFL Draft begins. Las Vegas’ poor document in 2024 has additionally set them up properly for the Draft this 12 months, with the sixth general pick and 9 more picks throughout the seven rounds.

There are lots of proficient acquisitions within the Draft this 12 months, in addition to some skilled veterans heading to the free company market in March. So, what’s going to the Raiders do to make a change and regain some type within the NFL? Here, we’ve detailed all of the methods the 2025 offseason might go completely for Las Vegas, together with a FOX Sports snub and a bit of luck within the Draft.

Tom Brady snubs FOX for Las Vegas

Brady made headlines in October 2024 by buying a 5% stake within the Raiders, and foremost proprietor Mark Davis is adamant he’s the lacking piece of their puzzle. Speaking to reporters on the time, Davis mentioned: “Bringing in Tom Brady was bringing in somebody on the football side that I had been lacking having here in the organization… We want to build something here and again, that’s been the process and that mindset all along.

“Like I mentioned, it received offset or sort of blown up when Jon Gruden was despatched away and so we have been making an attempt to get it proper since then and we’ll see, however I’ve received endurance to get it proper, and I feel we have got the people now — again I’ve all the time felt that — outcomes are what communicate to me and that is what we’ll see.”

However, Brady’s influence in Las Vegas is restricted thanks to his multi-million dollar contract with FOX Sports. The ex-New England Patriots star signed a 10-year deal with the network in 2024, worth an astonishing £296million ($375m).

He has been an impressive addition to the FOX NFL Sunday team in 2024, analysing and commentating on many games throughout the season – including Super Bowl LIX. However, Brady could snub this deal altogether if he wants to make sure he has some influence in the Raiders roster.

At the moment, Brady cannot attend in-person or virtual TV production meetings with the network, but he can still call Raiders games – adding to a somewhat awkward atmosphere in the studio. He also isn’t allowed to publicly criticise officials or teams, which restricts him even further on FOX NFL Sunday.

But should he quit his broadcasting job with FOX, he will be able to focus his full attention on the Raiders, and impart some of his wide footballing knowledge onto a struggling side that are desperate for success. However, that does admittedly look unlikely after Brady and his agent, Don Yee, expressed the former quarterback’s commitment to sports broadcasting and FOX for the foreseeable future.

Securing No.1 quarterback pick in NFL Draft

The Raiders have some exciting opportunities in the NFL Draft this year, with 10 selections available – including the sixth overall pick in the first round. Las Vegas also have one pick in the second, fourth, fifth and seventh rounds, with two picks in the third round and three selections in the sixth round too.

The one pick that matters, however, is the sixth one – as this is where the Raiders can acquire their new franchise quarterback. Their main prospect is Miami Hurricanes star Cam Ward, who has been in impressive form during his college football career.

The quarterback posted a 10-3 record in 2024, and was voted the best athlete in his position too – so his potential in Las Vegas could be unlimited if they secure his services. While there are five teams ahead of the Raiders in the Draft, there are other hot prospects reported to go in the first few picks, such as Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter and Jalon Walker.

So if Ward lasts until the sixth pick, the Raiders will be able to secure his signature on their team – and who wouldn’t want to get some training from one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time in Brady?

Free agency hidden gems

Another place that the Raiders can offload and secure talent is the free agency market – which is where 28 current players will be headed in 2025 unless they are signed to new contracts. The bosses in Las Vegas will have to work overtime to secure some of their stars, as well as adding a couple of experienced athletes to their roster before the Draft even begins.

One such player that the AFC West team will be desperate to keep is linebacker Robert Spillane, who was the Raiders’ top tackler in 2024 – with 158 in total. The 29-year-old has spent two years in Las Vegas, after being drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2018 and also playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Losing an athlete with his talent won’t be in the Raiders’ best interests.

Ameer Abdullah could be another pending free agent that the Raiders may choose to keep around, despite being 31 years old. The running back had the second most rushing yards amongst the team last year – 311 – and averages 4.6 yards per carry.

While his age may be a factor in why the Raiders could get rid of him, keeping the experience that Abdullah has for another year wouldn’t hurt the team’s chances in any way – and could also help in training up the potential rookies coming in the door.

In terms of signing free agents, the Raiders will need some new offensive weapons for their potential rookie quarterback to throw to. One veteran wide receiver that is set to be released is Buffalo Bills star Amari Cooper, who has had six 1,000+ receiving yard seasons since he was drafted in 2015.

Cooper, who was drafted by the Raiders using their fourth overall pick at the time, has been on a journey through the NFL with five Pro Bowl appearances in nine seasons. While he has had some up-and-down years, recording just 297 yards with the Bills in 2024, heading back to Las Vegas may be just what the 30-year-old needs to recharge his career out wide.

The Raiders will also need some protection for their new quarterback in 2025, with injuries stifling the potential for there to be a lot of time in the pocket for the QB. Two offensive lineman that could be a perfect fit for Las Vegas include Ronnie Stanley of the Baltimore Ravens and Trey Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs.

According to Over the Cap, the Raiders have £78m ($99m) value of cap space, so that they have the funds required to signal some stars to their roster. Stanley shined in Baltimore as Lamar Jackson’s blind-side protector, and regardless of being 31 years previous, there may be positively some life within the veteran but.

Smith has been an superb addition to the Chiefs, becoming a member of the group in 2021 and successful two Super Bowls in his first three years within the league. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie group in 2021, and has been an unimaginable guard for Patrick Mahomes – giving up zero sacks in Super Bowl LVII towards the Philadelphia Eagles.

However, fellow lineman Creed Humphrey lately signed a four-year contract extension value £56m ($72m) with the Chiefs, retaining him till 2028. This might imply that Smith could also be on his manner out of the door in free company – and he might head straight to their division rivals by becoming a member of the Raiders.

Overall, there may be lots of potential within the offseason for the Raiders, and so they can solely hope that the chips fall their manner all through 2025 so as to carry success back to Las Vegas.