🤝🔥 A HISTORIC HANDSHAKE!!! The moment of transition that has sent shockwaves through the NFL — legend Tom Brady is set to return to the field with the RAIDERS!!! (J)

Tom Brady Could Bring Two Former Patriots Coaches to Las Vegas and Build “Patriots West”

The Las Vegas Raiders may be closer to a franchise-altering transformation than anyone expected. With the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, a young core of promising talent, and Tom Brady now wielding real influence as a partial owner, Las Vegas is positioned to accelerate its rebuild at unprecedented speed.

What’s more intriguing is how that rebuild could look strikingly familiar.

According to growing league chatter, Brady may be laying the groundwork to bring two of his former New England Patriots coaches — Brian Flores and Brian Daboll — to Las Vegas, potentially turning the Raiders into a modern version of “Patriots West.”

If that vision comes to life, it could reshape the Raiders’ identity for the next decade.

How the Raiders Landed the No. 1 Overall Pick

The Raiders secured the No. 1 overall pick in dramatic fashion, even after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 14–12 on Sunday. Earlier in the day, the New York Giants’ upset win over the Dallas Cowboys ensured Las Vegas would control the top spot in the draft before they even kicked off.

For Raiders fans, it was a rare moment of optimism in an otherwise difficult season — and one that instantly changed the direction of the franchise.

Despite finishing with one of the league’s worst records, Las Vegas is far from a talent-depleted roster.

A Young Core That’s Better Than the Record Suggests

The Raiders may technically be among the NFL’s worst teams, but they are arguably one of the best “bad teams” in recent memory.

On offense, Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty, and Kolton Miller form a solid foundation. Bowers has already flashed star potential, Jeanty offers explosive versatility, and Miller remains a reliable anchor on the offensive line.

Defensively, Maxx Crosby continues to be the heartbeat of the team. Under contract for next season, Crosby could either be a cornerstone of the rebuild — or a valuable trade asset if the new regime chooses to stockpile draft capital.

Beyond the starters, Las Vegas also made four selections inside the top 100 of last year’s draft, giving them a young, controllable group of players entering their second season. That combination of youth, draft capital, and financial flexibility makes the Raiders’ situation highly attractive to potential coaching candidates.

Pete Carroll Era Likely Ending in Las Vegas

Despite a Week 1 win over the New England Patriots, the Raiders’ season unraveled quickly. After that opening victory, Las Vegas went 1–14 over their next 15 games, finishing with a brutal 3–14 record.

At 74 years old, head coach Pete Carroll is widely expected to be out. While Carroll’s legacy is unquestioned, the Raiders appear ready to move in a new direction — one focused on long-term stability and modern roster construction.

That’s where Tom Brady enters the picture.

Tom Brady’s Growing Influence as Raiders Owner

Brady’s role as a partial owner is no longer ceremonial. League insiders believe he will play a significant part in shaping the Raiders’ next era — particularly when it comes to leadership, culture, and coaching philosophy.

And if Brady is involved in hiring the next staff, history suggests he may turn to people he trusts implicitly.

Enter Brian Flores and Brian Daboll.

Brian Flores: Defensive Architect with Patriots DNA

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Raiders could pursue a coaching structure in which Brian Flores becomes head coach, with Brian Daboll serving as offensive coordinator.

Flores’ résumé speaks for itself.

He spent 2008–2018 with the New England Patriots, rising from a defensive assistant to defensive coordinator before landing the head coaching job with the Miami Dolphins. While his 24–25 record in Miami may not jump off the page, his teams consistently overachieved, particularly on defense.

After being dismissed by the Dolphins, Flores:

Served as Steelers linebackers coach in 2022
Became Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator in 2023

The results in Minnesota have been remarkable.

When Flores arrived, the Vikings’ defense ranked 30th in points allowed. Over the next three seasons, they improved steadily — rising to 12th, then 4th, and finishing 7th this year.

Role players like Andrew Van Ginkel and Josh Metellus flourished under Flores, transforming into impact defenders. His ability to maximize talent and instill discipline could immediately elevate a Raiders defense that finished 25th in the league.

Brian Daboll: The Quarterback Whisperer

While Flores would stabilize the defense, Brian Daboll could be the key to fixing the Raiders’ biggest issue: offense.

Daboll was recently fired as head coach of the New York Giants, but context matters. Just three years ago, he was widely regarded as one of the league’s brightest minds after:

Winning NFL Coach of the Year
Leading the Giants to a playoff berth
Defeating a 13-win Vikings team in the Wild Card round

Before Daboll arrived, the Giants offense scored just 15.2 points per game, second-worst in the NFL. In his first season, that jumped to 18th overall, despite limited personnel.

While Daniel Jones’ regression ultimately doomed Daboll’s tenure in New York, his track record with quarterbacks remains elite.

He played a crucial role in Josh Allen’s development in Buffalo, guiding the quarterback through early inconsistency into superstardom. More recently, Jaxson Dart’s early success served as another example of Daboll’s ability to unlock young QB potential.

The No. 1 Pick Changes Everything

With the No. 1 overall pick, the Raiders are in position to select a franchise quarterback — widely projected to be Fernando Mendoza.

Pairing Mendoza with Daboll could be transformational.

Under Daboll’s guidance and Flores’ defensive leadership, Las Vegas could realistically go from last in offensive rankings to competitive within a single season — with a significant leap expected by 2026.

Why “Patriots West” Makes Sense

This potential staff wouldn’t just be about nostalgia. It would represent a proven blueprint:

Defensive discipline (Flores)
Quarterback development (Daboll)
Cultural accountability (Brady influence)
Draft-and-develop philosophy (Patriots model)

In a division dominated by Patrick Mahomes, structure and long-term planning are essential. Brady understands that better than anyone.

A Fascinating Rebuild in the Making

The Raiders ranked 32nd offensively and 25th defensively this season. Those numbers won’t turn around overnight — but with the right leadership, they don’t need to.

If Tom Brady succeeds in bringing Flores and Daboll to Las Vegas, the Raiders could undergo one of the most compelling rebuilds in the NFL.

Time will tell whether Patriots West becomes reality — but the pieces are in place, the influence is real, and the opportunity is undeniable.

For the first time in years, the Raiders’ future feels not just hopeful — but strategic.