Tom Brady left the NFL as the greatest of all time. From there, he transitioned into a career as a sports analyst for Fox. Yet in his first year in the broadcast booth, something felt off. He was barred from attending production meetings with teams. Because he held a small stake in the Las Vegas Raiders, league rules prevented him from gaining deeper insight into game plans and strategy sessions.
Now, the league has lifted that restriction for Brady. Beginning this season, and starting with the very first game, he will be allowed to participate in production meetings with coaches and hear firsthand what teams are preparing for upcoming matchups.
Even so, some boundaries remain. The former quarterback is still prohibited from attending team practices, as well as from publicly criticizing officials or rival franchises.
This fall marks Brady’s second year with Fox. To open the season, he will be part of the crew covering the game between the Giants and the Commanders in Washington, scheduled for Sunday, September 7.
The Raiders’ season outlook
For the Las Vegas Raiders, the preseason was nothing short of disappointing. The team finished with a tie and two losses, showing clear signs that plenty of work still lies ahead. With Pete Carroll taking over, there is hope that the franchise can move in the right direction, but for now, that vision feels distant.
Their opening stretch of games offers a mixed bag of winnable contests and daunting challenges:
- Week 1: Sunday, September 7, at New England Patriots
- Week 2: Monday, September 15 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
- Week 3: Sunday, September 21, at Washington Commanders
- Week 4: Sunday, September 28 vs. Chicago Bears
- Week 5: Sunday, October 5, at Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback change due to injury
The Raiders’ preseason finale complicated matters even further. Beyond another defeat, they also lost starting quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who suffered a wrist injury expected to sideline him for six to eight weeks.
Faced with the urgent need for reinforcements at the game’s most crucial position, Las Vegas struck a deal with the Cleveland Browns. They acquired Kenny Pickett, who had been battling for the starting role in Cleveland alongside veteran Joe Flacco, who ultimately secured the job-rookie Dillon Gabriel, now listed as the backup, and Shedeur Sanders, projected as the third option.
In exchange, the Browns received a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
For Pickett, the move could be a blessing. It allows him to escape the crowded and dramatic quarterback situation in Cleveland following Sanders’ arrival and the uncertainty over who would start in Week 1.
Carroll, meanwhile, already has Geno Smith, but he needed another reliable option should unexpected issues arise. His only backup option before the trade was rookie Cam Miller. With Pickett now in silver and black, the Raiders can feel somewhat more secure about the quarterback position as they head into a pivotal season.
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