A new era has begun with the Las Vegas Raiders, and this is due to many factors, one of which is that Tom Brady became a minority owner of the team and has been influential in decision-making, such as the hiring of an experienced and winning head coach like Pete Carroll, who achieved success with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Raiders are looking to establish themselves as contenders in a division like the AFC West, which sent three teams to the playoffs in 2024: the Kansas City Chiefs, the Denver Broncos, and the Los Angeles Chargers. The only team left out of that division? Yes, it was the Raiders.
With Pete Carroll’s arrival, fans’ expectations are high. Many believe he can make an immediate impact and help the team compete for the division. The starting quarterback will be Geno Smith, a man Carroll trusts completely, who has steadily improved throughout his NFL career.
Tom Brady has a negative memory of Kenny Pickett
There’s no doubt that the clear starter for the Raiders will be Geno Smith, but a few days ago backup Aidan O’Connell was injured, prompting the team to explore options to fill the gap. The surprise came via a trade with the Cleveland Browns, through which the Raiders acquired Kenny Pickett.
The memory between Tom Brady and Kenny Pickett goes back to the 2022 season, Pickett’s rookie year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. That season, they faced off while Brady led the Buccaneers. At one point, the score was 10-6, and the seven-time Super Bowl winner, frustrated, commented:
“I didn’t leave my wife and kids to be losing to Kenny… Pickett at halftime,” said Brady during that game.
In the end, Brady lost that game, but it’s an interesting memory because now, perhaps out of necessity, fate has put Tom Brady and Kenny Pickett on the same team-the Las Vegas Raiders.
Read the full article here
