“Tell me when he makes a decision that’s good,” former aide of Bill Belichick,  Mike Lombardi fired at Tom Brady‘s Raiders‘ head coach Antonio Pierce on the GM Shuffle on Friday. The Raiders’ dismal 2-5 record speaks volumes, but it’s the numbers beneath that have sparked Lombardi’s scathing critique.

Pierce’s Raiders sit at rock bottom in crucial categories – 32nd in turnovers, 30th in rushing yards per attempt, and 26th in run defense. “That screams not a well-coached team to me,” Lombardi hammered on DraftKings’ GM Shuffle. The former Browns and Raiders executive didn’t hold back, suggesting Pierce is “in over his head.”

The harsh reality hit home Sunday at SoFi Stadium. The Raiders stumbled to a 20-15 loss against the Rams, their third straight defeat. Pierce’s decision to kick a field goal while down eight points late in the fourth quarter drew widespread criticism. His post-game focus? The players’ mistakes. “Got to take care of the ball,” Pierce told reporters, pointing to “three interceptions and a sack-fumble.”

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“You got to live in reality,” Pierce admitted Monday in his weekly news conference, calling this a “dark moment” for his team. The Raiders‘ spiral includes benching Gardner Minshew, trading Davante Adams – who ironically had lobbied for Pierce’s hiring – and losing Aidan O’Connell to a broken thumb.

With the defending champion Chiefs looming next Sunday, the pressure mounts. Pierce’s coaching credentials face mounting scrutiny – zero experience as an NFL coordinator before landing the top job. As Lombardi noted, “The players anointed him because they love him. When has that ever worked out?”

Adding to that Tom Brady‘s entry as Raiders’ minority owner adds another layer to this unfolding drama.

Brady’s ownership creates new questions

Lombardi, speaking on the Bill Simmons Podcast last week, painted an intriguing picture: “I would love to watch him stand next to him at the first practice watching Antonio Pierce lead the Raiders. He’s going to be like ‘Oh my God I just signed up for this.'”

Yet Brady faces his own balancing act. His role as Fox Sports’ NFL analyst creates potential conflicts. Richard Deitsch of The Athletic highlighted a key restriction – Brady can’t criticize officials without risking NFL fines or suspension. He’s also barred from team facilities and production meetings, limiting his access to insider information.

The seven-time Super Bowl champion’s dual positions raise eyebrows across the league. According to Deitsch, Brady might find himself knowing less about team situations than well-informed fans. His analysis must walk a tightrope – offering quarterback insights while avoiding official criticism.

As the Raiders stumble through their “dark moment,” Tom Brady’s ownership role adds pressure on Pierce. The rookie head coach now answers not just to Mark Davis, but to the greatest quarterback in NFL history. The question isn’t just whether Pierce can turn around the Raiders – it’s whether Brady’s presence will help or hinder that mission.