Don’t let his charming demeanor deceive you. Tom Brady has always been a fierce competitor, and it’s no surprise that he jumped at the opportunity to manage potential conflicts between his dual roles.

Brady’s involvement as a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders is not just about enhancing his investment portfolio. He and Raiders owner Mark Davis are both eager to win, and they believe the best way to do that is with Brady actively participating in the team’s management.

As reported by Adam Schefter, Brady will be involved in a “collaborative committee” responsible for interviewing head coaching candidates, as well as likely candidates for general manager.

Although this might create tension with Brady’s role as a broadcaster for Fox, he’s prepared to take advantage of any situation that could help the Raiders, disregarding the potential complications.

While Davis and Brady have remained silent publicly lately, it is clear that Brady’s influence is evident in recent team decisions. After the dismissals of coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco, the official statements released were unattributed, signaling Brady’s involvement in this shift.

Despite the Raiders’ subpar 4-13 record, there were arguments in favor of retaining Pierce and Telesco for another year. Pierce had a decent season despite limited resources, while Telesco made smart moves, including drafting standout player Brock Bowers.

Davis has indicated that he values Brady’s perspective and plans to utilize his insight. This shake-up seems to be a reset for the team, possibly paving the way for the introduction of individuals Brady favors. Could it be former teammate Mike Vrabel or longtime coach Bill Belichick?

This would not be an issue if it weren’t for the manner in which the firings were conducted—Pierce was let go just a day after his season-ending press conference, and Telesco endured an unsure wait for four days before his exit. Nevertheless, it’s Brady and Davis’ team, and they can make decisions as they see fit.

The crux of the issue lies in Brady navigating his roles as part-owner and broadcaster. He’ll be interviewing potential coaching candidates while simultaneously critiquing their performances during nationally broadcast games—will his analysis reflect his true opinions or align with the Raiders’ interests? Will he want to maintain a favorable image for candidates the Raiders covet or lead other teams to reassess their interest in them?

These are not mere hypothetical scenarios; they are real dilemmas raised by Brady’s twin roles. Fox has secured rights to air the NFC playoff games while Las Vegas has sought permission to interview candidates like Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

The Raiders are also reportedly considering Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. It’s worth noting that Fox is the broadcaster for the upcoming Super Bowl this year, which could further complicate matters.

While these conflicts might not seem crucial, they could undermine the trust fans place in the NFL. Trust is fundamental to the league’s success—it’s the reason for strict policies against gambling by players and coaches and why any excessive criticism of officiating is taken seriously.

Having one of the NFL’s leading analysts with questionable motivations cast a shadow over his conclusions is detrimental for everyone involved.

This situation could also raise doubts for Fox about Brady’s dedication to his $37.5 million-a-year job, but that’s an issue for the network to tackle.

Brady might want to think carefully about this situation, although he’s never ruled out personal interests for the sake of professionalism. Remember, this is the same player who faced a four-game suspension during the Deflategate saga. While he denied any wrongdoing, the timing of his phone’s destruction was suspicious. As the quarterback for the Patriots, he benefited from Belichick’s sign-stealing strategy.

He also openly supported Donald Trump’s presidential campaign when it was convenient for him, but went silent when it became politically charged.

Brady has set high standards in his career, but even if he excels in his broadcasting role, the market is saturated with successful former players like Joe Theismann and Troy Aikman.

If he can revitalize the struggling Raiders, who’ve only reached the playoffs twice since their last Super Bowl appearance in 2002, it would be a remarkable feat not often seen from former stars.

Ultimately, Brady will pursue whatever it takes, even if it means bending a few norms along the way. As the iconic Raiders owner Al Davis famously said: “Just win, baby.”