In the upcoming offseason, former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden is being discussed as a potential candidate for head coaching positions, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. Gruden’s situation, however, is complicated by his ongoing lawsuit against the NFL, which addresses issues of defamation and privacy violations stemming from the exposure of private emails.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds that if Gruden’s legal challenges are resolved favorably, it is likely he will attract interest from teams seeking offensive-minded leaders. Despite not coaching since 2021, when he resigned under pressure, Gruden’s influence and coaching system remain prevalent across the league, potentially strengthening his candidacy.
Gruden has expressed a desire to return to the sidelines, indicating he misses coaching and feels he has more to offer the game. “I miss it. I’m scratching that itch,” he mentioned on the Fitz & Whit podcast. He emphasized his ongoing preparations, stating he is engaged with various football professionals to refine his skills and insights. Reflecting on his time with the Raiders, he noted that the team was on a positive trajectory at the start of the season, which makes his absence from the game feel especially poignant.
With a coaching career that began in 1998, Gruden has a wealth of experience, including a Super Bowl victory with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His overall record stands at 117-112, with a postseason mark of 5-4. Despite the controversies surrounding his departure from coaching, there is intrigue surrounding his potential return, especially considering the limited pool of offensive candidates available.
Overall, the possibility of Gruden returning to head coaching offers a glimpse of hope for teams looking to strengthen their offensive strategies, while also providing a pathway for his redemption in the NFL.