ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Saturday, citing sources, that the Oakland Raiders are prepared to make a large offer to their former head coach.
Gruden coached Oakland for four seasons from 1998 to 2001, finishing his stint with the team with a 38-26-0 regular season record and a 5-4 slate in the playoffs.
The Oakland Raiders are reportedly set to see if they can lure Jon Gruden back to the fold to replace Jack Del Rio, who is said to be potentially on his way out.
His Tampa Bay Buccaneers did win a Super Bowl back in 2002.
For those waxing poetic about the idea that Gruden will turn Derek Carr into an MVP, it's worth mentioning that Gruden hasn't developed a single quarterback in his entire coaching career.
Gruden, 54, has been reluctant to return to the NFL in part because of his high-paying job with ESPN on Monday Night Football and because he has been vocal in his distaste for NFLPA-mandated restrictions on practice and training time.
"I don't want to sit here and speculate", Gruden told the network. I cant say I havent taken any phone calls. An ownership stake, and the seniority bestowed by such a thing, is a lot to offer a guy whose best coaching days largely passed before I was old enough to buy my own drinks! "I'm here to help people", Gruden said.
The year prior, the Raiders also gave general manager Reggie McKenzie an extension, and it's not known how Gruden's hiring would affect the general manager in terms of the draft and free agency. His interest in rejoining the Raiders could be for two reasons. The Raiders reached the Super Bowl that same year. Gruden's contract even could be backloaded to pay him more in the Nevada years of the deal and lessen his tax burden during his years in California. Gibbs has regularly done studio work breaking down National Football League film, not unlike Gruden does, and that didn't help him stay up to speed with the schemes and gameplans that had changed since the last time he coached.
The Raiders could move on from Del Rio after Sunday's game against the division rival Los Angeles Chargers.
Though he doesn't have coaching experience, it's hard to overlook the personal connection he has with Gruden.
Gannon never has coached; he went straight to broadcasting upon his retirement.
