The Raiders might be chasing the 'Patriot Way' again

It was bound to happen with Tom Brady’s influence on the Las Vegas Raiders as minority owner. Still, would they revisit the “Patriot Way” over a young coach this offseason?

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio has a point: if last January really was “Tom’s show now,” then Year 1 looked less like a grand opening and more like a soft launch that forgot to unlock the doors. The fact is, it’s fair to question what exactly Brady’s role is and how much power he wields—no one seems to be able to answer that. Not league insiders and certainly not Raiders beat writers have been able to clearly define it.

Still, what would a second run at mimicking the New England Patriots of old look like in 2026?

Should the Raiders bring in both Brian Flores and Brian Daboll?

The Brian Flores–Brian Daboll idea is the kind of “Patriot DNA” rumor that sounds great in a headline and gets dicey the moment you ask what, exactly, it fixes on Sunday. Flores would bring a competitive spirit, a well-organized structure, and a defense that doesn’t need motivational speeches to perform well. That makes sense.

Plus, teaming up Flores with Maxx Crosby would give No. 98 a legitimate head coach that can maximize the situation around him. Give Flores a solid draft with defensive talent and another proven pass rusher opposite Crosby, and watch them wreak havoc.

Now, what about pairing Flores with Daboll as offensive coordinator? It is either smart or it’s just comfort food for a franchise that keeps mistaking nostalgia for a blueprint. Daboll has been in winning buildings. He has also benefited from having the kind of quarterback who turns “nice concept” into “eight points on the drive.”

If the Raiders are planning to draft and develop their next face of the franchise (Fernando Mendoza, anyone?), the question is not how much New England is in the room. It is how quickly the offense can stop living on slogans and start living in the end zone.

Florio’s “Siegfried & Roy” line is cute, but the Raiders do not need another Vegas act. They need fewer plot twists. If Brady is going to wear the glove, the watch, and the responsibility, the move has to be bigger than importing a vibe. It has to be a plan: quarterback development, offensive identity, and a staff that matches urgency with competence.