As I walked out of Allegiant Stadium last November after the Las Vegas Raiders' 33-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, I wondered why Tom Brady wanted involvement with this franchise. Geno Smith struggled, Max Crosby threw his helmet 40 yards in frustration, and Pete Carroll seemed like a ticket-selling legend in his final career throes.

But the Raiders have built proper foundations. They selected Fernando Mendoza first overall from Indiana, then replicated the Kansas City Chiefs' patient model with Patrick Mahomes by bringing in Kirk Cousins to mentor the rookie. The Cousins-Mendoza relationship is endearing and valuable; Cousins provides veteran smarts, safe hands, and huddle command.

Now 2-0, the Silver and Black showed promise against the Chargers. On a touchdown pass, Cousins displayed pre-snap awareness, constantly looking behind to signal adjustments. The program once resembling a Death Star needing destruction now shows legitimate contender potential under Brady's front-office guidance.