Tom Brady tipped to make brutal Raiders decision amid Maxx Crosby update and $91m issue

Dec 30, 2025 - 17:00

Pete Carroll may not be in the Las Vegas Raiders’ future next season.

The Super Bowl-winning head coach joined the Raiders back in January with the task of steering the organization back to relevancy after winning just four games in the 2024 NFL season.

Head coach Pete Carroll of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 — Pete Carroll’s future as the Raiders HC is up in the air

But with just one game remaining in 2025, the Raiders sit at a lowly 2-14 and are in command of the No. 1 overall pick for next year’s NFL draft with Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza available.

The Raiders – who NFL legend Tom Brady is a minority owner of – therefore may make the brutal decision to part ways with the 74-year-old after just one season, which would mark the second consecutive season in which they have had a one-and-done coach (Antonio Pierce in 2024).

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, this appears to be the case with Carroll considered doubtful to return to patrol the sideline as the Raiders head coach in 2026

“We’ll see if [he’s] there. I doubt it, but we’ll see,” Rapoport said on Monday.

After Sunday’s 34-10 defeat to the 3-13 New York Giants, Las Vegas enter their Week 18 clash against the Kansas City Chiefs on a 10 game skid, but Carroll remains optimistic that he has the backing of the Raiders front office.

“From all the guys I’ve talked to, I do feel like I have their support,” Carroll said on Monday. “What does that mean? I don’t know, but our conversations have been really good.”

He didn’t offer any further insight on the conversations he had held with the front office.

Bad decisions upon bad decisions by Raiders brass

The Raiders have made the playoffs on just two occasions since they lost the Super Bowl in 2002 (2016, 2021).

Bringing a 30-year veteran in Carroll to the Sin City was supposed to be the start of transforming the franchise around and try to reinstate its glory years under John Madden in the 1970s

Not only did Brady and co bring in Carroll, but they also reunited him with his quarterback from his time with the Seattle Seahawks in Geno Smith.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 18: Fox Sports commentator Tom Brady stands on the field prior to the NFC Divisional Playoff game between the Washington Commanders and the Detroit Lions, at Ford Field on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) — Tom Brady is a minority owner of the Raiders and has a say in the decision-making of the franchise

Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks and Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks talk on the sideline before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboy — Smith and Carroll have were a force to be reckoned with in Seattle, but that hasn’t translated at the Raiders

During their time together in Seattle, Smith enjoyed a career revival in which he recorded 8,641 passing yards, 55 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in 37 games.

But Las Vegas’ decision-making hasn’t been rewarded, as Smith leads the league in interceptions with 17 (among 95 quarterbacks), and has just 19 touchdowns on the season in 15 outings.

There’s also been the fallout between the franchise and superstar edge rusher Maxx Crosby in the wake of him being shut down for the season with two games left to play as Vegas vyes for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft.

Carroll had revealed that upon learning that he was being shut down, Crosby had left the team facility, though, as per Monday, he has since returned.

In fact, it appears that all the issues have been resolved, according to the Raiders head coach.

“We’re doing great,” Carroll said of him and Crosby. “We’re eye-to-eye on what’s going on.”

Maxx Crosby’s future uncertain

With Crosby’s clear disgruntlement at the Raiders brass over the recent events that have transpired lately, this has only fueled rumors of him having perhaps played his last game in the Black and Silver.

Geno Smith #7 of the Las Vegas Raiders throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium — It’s been nothing short of a disaster for Geno Smith under center for the Raiders in 2025

Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on during warmups before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 14, 2025 — Crosby was furious with the Raiders after they shut him down for the remainder of the season

The 28-year-old landed a $106.5 million extension from Brady and co back in March, which at the time made him the highest-paid non-quarterback ever.

With $91.5 million of that contract being guaranteed, if Crosby does indeed want out of the organization, trading him could become somewhat difficult, although not as difficult as that of fellow pass-rusher Myles Garrett.

Garrett, a superstar on the Cleveland Browns, penned a four-year, $160 million deal in the same week that Crosby signed his extension.

But if he were to ask out of Cleveland, this would cost the Browns $67 million in dead cap, and save just $2 million.

Crosby’s deal, though, would see the Raiders eat just $5 million in dead cap space, and open up $30 million.

Finishing the 2025 campaign with 10 sacks, there is some flexibility to to adhere to Crosby’s wishes – should he want out that is – and so many teams all over the NFL will be keeping a watchful eye on the situation.

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