In a departure from previous practice, Raiders owner Mark Davis publicly acknowledged Tom Brady’s expanded role in the team’s football operations for the first time. The statement came Monday as part of the announcement that coach Pete Carroll had been fired.

“Moving forward,” Davis said, “general manager John Spytek will lead all football operations in close collaboration with Tom Brady, including the search for the club’s next head coach.”

The Raiders have been cautious about detailing Brady’s involvement since he became a minority owner, given his role as lead analyst for Fox’s NFL coverage. But Monday’s statement made clear that Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, is now the de facto leader of football operations alongside Spytek.

Spytek, a former teammate of Brady’s at Michigan, was hired as general manager at Brady’s recommendation. The two will now work together to find Carroll’s replacement and shape the team’s future direction.