Tom Brady struck down Raiders getting free agent quarterback

When former NFL quarterback Tom Brady joined the Las Vegas Raiders in October as a minority owner, it was reported that he would hold heavy influence on what the team decided to do at the quarterback position.

That has held true this offseason, with Brady having a say in the decisions to trade for Geno Smith and draft Cam Miller. It makes sense for the Raiders to consult Brady, as his expert opinion would help them improve on last season’s group of Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell and Desmond Ridder. However, many expected that the Raiders would be in on many of the biggest names at the position all offseason long.

Brady not only approved of quarterbacks that the Raiders brought in, but also played a role in steering them clear of a few others.

One of the top free agents was reportedly rejected by Brady.

According to The Athletic’s Michael Silver, Brady was responsible for the team not approaching former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold in free agency.

“While some believed the Las Vegas Raiders would try to sign Darnold, minority owner Tom Brady—a seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback whose opinion held great sway—was not in favor of that approach, according to a source familiar with the franchise’s internal discussions,” Silver wrote in his report.

Silver did not mention anything particular about why Brady did not want the Raiders to sign Darnold.

Darnold was set for a huge payday after a career season with the Vikings in 2024, throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns to lead Minnesota to a 14-3 record. However, his struggles against the Detroit Lions in the final game of the season and the Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Rams, as well as the presence of first-round rookie J.J. McCarthy, lead to the Vikings allowing him to walk in free agency. Darnold would eventually sign with the Seattle Seahawks on a three-year, $100.5 million contract.

Brady chose Smith over Darnold for the Raiders, so he will be hoping that his new team’s performance justifies his decision.