Jon Gruden reportedly would only leave ESPN for Raiders, wanted them to draft Johnny Manziel
Jon Gruden seems content working as a broadcaster for ESPN, but if he were to leave the booth, it reportedly would only be for the Oakland Raiders head coaching job.
After Dennis Allen was fired by the team earlier this season, reports were rampant about speculation that Chucky could return to Oakland. Owner Mark Davis even said he would reach out to Gruden, who was the last head coach to have success with the team.
Though Gruden said he is not thinking about coaching, a new report from NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport details his interest in the job.
Jon Gruden told one close friend: “If there is one job I’d come back to the @NFL for, it’s the #Raiders.” But will he leave his current job?
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 26, 2014
How interested is he in the team? He reportedly lobbied for them to draft Johnny Manziel.
According to three sources, Jon Gruden spent round 1 of the draft imploring the #Raiders: Draft Johnny Manziel. Just imagine #whatif
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 26, 2014
The Raiders drafted linebacker Khalil Mack fifth overall while Manziel went to the Browns at No. 22. The Raiders took Derek Carr in the second round instead. You have to wonder how close Gruden would be to taking that job had they drafted Johnny Football.