Tom Brady and the Las Vegas Raiders: A New Era with Jaxson Dart on the Horizon?

April 10, 2025 – The Las Vegas Raiders, a franchise with a storied history but a recent string of struggles, are entering a pivotal offseason in 2025. With NFL legend Tom Brady now entrenched as a minority owner and influential voice in the organization, the team appears poised to make significant moves to reshape its roster. Central to this transformation is the quarterback position, a perennial question mark for the Raiders in recent years. According to a recent report from The US Sun, Brady is set to play a key role in evaluating one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, Ole Miss star Jaxson Dart, even as the team navigates its commitment to veteran signal-caller Geno Smith. This development signals an intriguing blend of short-term stability and long-term ambition for a franchise eager to return to prominence.

Tom Brady’s New Role with the Raiders

Tom Brady, widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history, transitioned from the field to the front office after retiring from playing in 2023. His involvement with the Raiders began when he acquired a minority stake in the team, a move that has sparked excitement among fans and analysts alike. Beyond his ownership role, Brady has taken on responsibilities as a Fox NFL commentator, but his influence with the Raiders extends far deeper. As The US Sun notes, Brady’s football acumen—honed over two decades of dominance with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers—makes him a unique asset in roster-building decisions. His reported decision to hold a private workout with Jaxson Dart underscores his hands-on approach to shaping the Raiders’ future.

Brady’s arrival comes at a critical juncture for the Raiders. The team has struggled to find consistency at quarterback since the departure of Derek Carr in 2022. The 2024 season saw a carousel of starters—Jimmy Garoppolo, Aidan O’Connell, and Gardner Minshew—none of whom provided the spark needed to elevate the offense. With a 4-13 record and a new head coach in Pete Carroll, the Raiders are in rebuild mode, and Brady’s expertise could prove instrumental in turning the tide.

The Geno Smith Conundrum

In a surprising move this offseason, the Raiders traded for veteran quarterback Geno Smith from the Seattle Seahawks and subsequently signed him to a two-year contract extension worth $85.5 million, keeping him with the franchise through 2027. Smith, now 35, brings a wealth of experience and a solid statistical resume, having completed 70.4% of his passes for 4,320 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in his most recent season with Seattle. His arrival offers the Raiders a bridge quarterback capable of stabilizing the offense in 2025 while the team continues to develop its young talent, such as star tight end Brock Bowers.

However, Smith’s contract structure raises questions about the Raiders’ long-term plans. As The US Sun highlights, there is no guaranteed money beyond the 2026 season, providing the team with flexibility to pivot if a younger quarterback emerges as a viable option. Smith’s age and history of inconsistent performance—he has oscillated between journeyman status and Pro Bowl caliber play—suggest that he is not the definitive answer for a franchise aiming to compete in the ultra-competitive AFC West. This is where Jaxson Dart enters the picture.

Jaxson Dart: The Next Big Thing?

Jaxson Dart, the standout quarterback from Ole Miss, has emerged as one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft class. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Dart has already met with several teams, including the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, and Los Angeles Rams, and is scheduled to visit the Raiders this week. Widely regarded as the third-best quarterback in this draft—behind Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders—Dart has garnered significant attention for his blend of athleticism, arm talent, and production in the SEC.

In his final collegiate season, Dart showcased his potential, throwing for 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns, and just six interceptions while completing nearly 70% of his passes. Under the tutelage of offensive mastermind Lane Kiffin, he thrived in a spread system that maximized his ability to make explosive plays. At 6-foot~~ foot-2 and 225 pounds, Dart possesses the physical tools NFL scouts covet: a strong arm, good mobility, and the toughness to stand in the pocket under pressure. Some analysts even argue that Dart could surpass Sanders as the second-best quarterback in the class, given his consistency and ability to perform against top-tier competition.

Yet, Dart is not without his flaws. Critics point to his tendency to lock onto primary reads and his struggles against pressure, traits that could be magnified in the faster, more condensed NFL game. Transitioning from Kiffin’s scheme—which often affords quarterbacks a wider margin for error—to a pro-style offense will require adjustment. Still, for a team like the Raiders, Dart represents a high-upside prospect who could develop into a franchise cornerstone under the right guidance—guidance that someone like Tom Brady is uniquely qualified to provide.

Brady’s Private Workout with Dart

The US Sun reports that Brady will host Dart for a private workout, a move that suggests the Raiders are seriously considering him as a draft target. With the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Las Vegas is well-positioned to select a top-tier talent, though they may face competition from quarterback-needy teams like the Titans, Browns, Giants, and Jets, all of whom pick ahead of them. If Dart impresses Brady—a seven-time Super Bowl champion with an unparalleled understanding of the position—the Raiders could either trade up to secure him or hope he falls to their slot.

The workout also highlights Brady’s potential to mentor a young quarterback. Imagine Dart sitting behind Geno Smith in 2025, learning from both a seasoned veteran and the greatest to ever play the game. Brady’s insights into preparation, decision-making, and leadership could accelerate Dart’s development, turning raw talent into polished execution. For Raider Nation, the prospect of Brady grooming their next quarterback is a tantalizing vision of a return to glory.

The Bigger Picture for the Raiders

The Raiders’ interest in Dart doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The team is also reportedly set to meet with Shedeur Sanders next week, indicating a thorough evaluation of their quarterback options. Beyond the quarterback position, Las Vegas boasts a promising young core, including Bowers, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, and a revamped offensive line featuring 2024 second-round pick Jackson Powers-Johnson, who happens to be Dart’s high school teammate. Adding a dynamic runner like Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty—another rumored target—could further bolster the offense.

Ultimately, the 2025 NFL Draft represents a crossroads for the Raiders. With Brady’s influence, Carroll’s leadership, and a high draft pick, the franchise has the resources to redefine its identity. Selecting Jaxson Dart could be the first step in that journey—a gamble on potential backed by the wisdom of a legend. As April 24-26 approaches, all eyes will be on Las Vegas, where the future of the Silver and Black hangs in the balance.