Jon Gruden was dismissive when asked on Saturday night about a report that the Oakland Raiders were going to pursue him heavily.
Bay Area News Group reporter Jerry McDonald reached Gruden via phone on Saturday night after an ESPN report said the Raiders were going to pursue him. Gruden said “I’ve got nothing to report.”
Just got off the phone with Jon Gruden about ESPN report. He said, "C'mon man. I'm out with my wife. This is crazy. I was supposed to be going to Tampa last week . . . I've got nothing to report."
— Jerry McDonald (@Jerrymcd) December 31, 2017
NBC Sports Bay Area’s Raiders insider Scott Bair asked team owner Mark Davis about the report, and he was similarly dismissive.
Just ran into Raiders owner Mark Davis. Asked directly about about ESPN report re: interest in Jon Gruden. He played coy. Said focus is on winning next game. Asked about Del Rio’s job status. Wouldn’t touch it. Asked again about Gruden report: “these rumors come about every year”
— Scott Bair (@BairNBCS) December 31, 2017
He’s right — Gruden rumors come up every year. But there is increasing chatter that this time it will be different and Gruden will truly consider leaving his job as an ESPN analyst to return to coaching.
Gruden was consistently linked with the Buccaneers job, but a report on Friday said Dirk Koetter was told by Tampa Bay ownership that he would return to the team next season. The Raiders job is currently held by Jack Del Rio.
Gruden, 54, has not coached since 2008. He is 95-81 in his NFL career and won a Super Bowl with the Bucs. ESPN’s report says the Raiders could offer him an ownership stake to entice him.
