Antonio Pierce shares perspective on developing Tom Brady story

Tom Brady and the Las Vegas Raiders have found themselves at the forefront of a major controversy.

After Brady was spotted in the Raiders coaches box during Monday‘s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, ESPN broadcasters said that the minority owner speaks to offensive coordinator Chip Kelly multiple times per week to go over the game plan. Those comments sparked outrage around the NFL community, prompting fans and analysts alike to believe that there is a clear conflict of interest. The NFL and coaches around the league do not seem to be bothered by it for the moment, but it is clear that Brady’s dual responsibilities are creating a fluid situation.

Now, someone formerly within the Raiders organization has provided somewhat of an insider perspective on the matter.

The latest comments are the most eye-opening yet on the Brady situation.

Antonio Pierce was head coach when Brady was named minority owner of the Raiders in 2024, and he recently offered his opinion on what he has the power to do for his former team.

“This is unprecedented, what we’re seeing,” Pierce told Adam Schein of SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio. “I think I would be uncomfortable if it was the other way around, to be honest with you. Because you’re not dealing with just a normal person. Tom Brady is the elite of the elite, one of the greatest quarterbacks, one of the greatest players in the game, played against him obviously, student of the game.

“It’s not hard for him to watch a few things on a Friday practice or hear things in a production meeting and be like, ‘Hmm,’ and have tidbits. And you’d be foolish enough to think that he’s not gonna share that with the Raiders because we had those conversations about certain things.”

These latest comments certainly do not do anything to cool down the controversy developing with Brady and the Raiders, and it sounds as though Pierce saw the advantage the future Hall of Famer brings to the table firsthand.

“I think everybody’s gonna give you the political answer and say, ‘Oh, it’s no big deal,’” Pierce added. “I’m calling BS on that because if me and you was to call the game, they’ll be secretive with us. Now you got a guy who’s a minority owner, a great player, you know he understands the game, you know he sees the game. He has obviously an interest in the Raiders. So I just think it’s unprecedented. We haven’t seen it. Again, I don’t want to talk above my means. I don’t know what the NFL has set for Tom Brady and his rules, but I know he was a great asset for us with the Raiders when I was there. And I think he’ll still be a great asset as he’s going forward and I think this does help him out, and the Raiders.”

The NFL likely does not feel any real pressure yet to force Brady to choose one role or the other, but Pierce’s comments could be used as evidence to force a decision.