As the NFL approaches the final week of its regular season, speculation arises surrounding Jon Gruden’s potential return to coaching. Despite his ongoing legal dispute with the league, recent reports suggest Gruden could re-emerge as a head coaching candidate in the next few years.
ESPN analysts Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano recently explored the coaching landscape and noted that Gruden’s name is still being mentioned in discussions about potential future hires. This comes in light of his controversial resignation from the Las Vegas Raiders in October 2021, following the release of emails containing offensive remarks. Gruden has since filed a lawsuit against the NFL, claiming that the league intentionally leaked the emails to orchestrate his removal. This legal matter remains unresolved, but Gruden’s coaching prowess continues to resonate within the NFL.
Graziano remarked on the complexity of Gruden’s situation, highlighting the various factors at play, particularly his ongoing litigation. He noted the unsettling atmosphere in this year’s coaching market, where standout candidates are scarce. This opens a window of opportunity for seasoned coaches who have proven their capabilities in the past.
Fowler echoed Graziano’s views, suggesting that while Gruden’s lawsuit poses a significant barrier, it might not entirely exclude him from future coaching discussions. He stated, “It wouldn’t shock me if teams wanted to speak with Gruden, assuming his lawsuit reaches a conclusion at some point.”
Gruden’s track record includes a commendable 117-112 regular-season record, with two stints as a head coach for the Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he led the team to a Super Bowl victory in 2003. Although he has remained relatively low-profile since his resignation, Gruden has occasionally participated in various NFL-related events and practices.
While the current coaching cycle may not be the right moment for Gruden’s comeback, analysts see 2026 as a more feasible timeframe for his potential return, contingent upon the outcome of his lawsuit. As teams face a lack of offensive coaching talent moving forward, Gruden’s name is likely to resurface as organizations might consider his extensive experience despite the controversies that shadow him.
The ongoing conversation surrounding Gruden highlights the NFL’s tendency to revisit familiar faces in a challenging and sometimes narrow coaching landscape. As the league navigates through these uncertainties, Gruden’s future remains a topic of intrigue, suggesting a blend of hope and concern in a league that often embraces the return of veteran coaches.