Until the Raiders find a new head coach or Jon Gruden flat-out says he is not returning to coaching next season, rumors of a possible return to Oakland for Gruden will continue popping up. Gruden’s brother, Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden, didn’t exactly throw water on the fire when asked about Jon’s future.
During a conference call on Thursday, Jay Gruden was very careful not to rule out a reunion between his brother and the Raiders.
“Nothing would surprise me with Jon,” he said, via Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk. “I don’t want to put words in his mouth or predict anything. He hasn’t told me one way or another. He loves what he’s doing with ESPN. I know that for a fact. But I also know he loves coaching and I know that for a fact. He’s got one of the greatest jobs in sports and he loves ESPN and loves what he does, but I also know he loves the competitive nature of coaching.
“Also know that he hates coaching from time to time; kind of like I do on a Sunday night when you go home. I don’t know. It wouldn’t surprise me one way or the other. He’s got two great jobs that he could potentially do.”
[Related: Raiders owner talks about possible Jon Gruden reunion]
As we mentioned before, the John Gruden-Raiders talk is only natural. The team has been the laughing stock of the league since he left. There has not been a winning season in Oakland since Gruden was in charge.
Gruden said very little when asked about the Raiders job earlier this week. Personally, I feel that there would be far better opportunities for him out there if he decided to return to coaching. He doesn’t need to try to rescue one of the worst franchises in the NFL.
