Jon Gruden Might Be Coming Back to Football — But Maybe as a Broadcaster First!

Who Is Jon Gruden?

Jon Gruden is a well-known football coach. He even won the Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003! Lately, he has been very loud and clear about wanting to return to coaching on the sidelines (that means being the boss on the field during games). But before he gets back to coaching, he might do something else first.

What Happened with the Raiders?

• Gruden used to coach the Las Vegas Raiders.
• He left the team in 2021, during his third year of a 10-year contract (a promise to work there for 10 years).
• He left after some old emails became public. These emails showed he used racist, sexist, and homophobic language (words that are mean and unfair to people because of their race, gender, or who they love).
• The emails were from when he worked at ESPN as a TV analyst and "Monday Night Football" broadcaster (a person who talks on TV about the game while it happens).

Important Point: Ironically, his next football job might also be on TV as a broadcaster — kind of like the job he had before!

Gruden’s Possible New TV Job

According to Ira Kaufman of JoeBucsFan:

• Gruden is expected to be on the call (the voice explaining the game) for an NFL preseason game.
• Kaufman believes Gruden will do the play-by-play (describe every action as it happens live).

Gruden’s agency (the people who handle his work requests) did not answer an email from Fox News Digital right away.

What Has Gruden Been Doing Instead?

While looking for a pro football job, Gruden has been busy with Barstool Sports:

• He does film study-style interviews with young quarterback hopefuls (watching game videos and talking about them, like he did at ESPN years ago).

The Lawsuit Against the NFL

• After leaving the Raiders, Gruden sued the NFL (took them to court).
• He said the league ran a "malicious and orchestrated campaign" — basically, he claimed they purposely leaked his emails to ruin his career.
• In August, he got good news: the Nevada Supreme Court said his case could go to court instead of private arbitration (a private judging process).
• In October, that same court said no to the NFL’s request to change that decision.

Important Point: This means Gruden’s legal fight with the NFL is still moving forward in public court.

Gruden’s Comeback Hopes

Last July, Gruden said:

• "Hopefully I’m not done. I’m about to make a comeback."
• He joked he would coach anywhere, even at "Jones Junior High."
• He said he still coaches privately and secretly roots for teams while watching games.

He also shut down rumors that the New York Jets offered him a job. He said he got "nothing" from them.

Fun Fact

Gruden already won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in 2003!

Summary

Jon Gruden wants to coach again, but first he may return to TV as a broadcaster for an NFL preseason game. He left the Raiders in 2021 after old emails with hurtful language were leaked. He is also suing the NFL, and the court is letting the case proceed. Meanwhile, he stays busy with Barstool Sports and says he’ll coach anywhere if given the chance.

FAQ

1. Why did Jon Gruden leave the Raiders?
He left in 2021 after emails from his past TV job showed he used racist, sexist, and homophobic language.

2. What is Gruden possibly doing next in football?
He is expected to be the play-by-play broadcaster for an NFL preseason game.

3. Is Gruden still fighting the NFL?
Yes, he sued them for leaking his emails, and the Nevada Supreme Court is letting the case go to court.

4. Did the New York Jets offer Gruden a job?
No, Gruden said he received "nothing" from the Jets and denied those reports.