Jon Gruden has not worked in the NFL since he was ousted as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders two years ago, and many are skeptical that he will ever return. The former Super Bowl champion was mentioned in connection with one very intriguing job this week, however.
Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac floated Gruden as a possibility for the team’s offensive coordinator job should Matt Canada be fired. A reader asked Dulac in a chat about potential Canada replacements, and Dulac mentioned how Gruden and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin are friends.
“Way too early to speculate. But a good one would be a [Mike] Tomlin friend — Jon Gruden,” Dulac said.
Gruden was forced to resign after emails were leaked that featured him using racist and homophobic language. He also had negative things to say about NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in some of the emails. The 60-year-old has since filed a lawsuit against the NFL, claiming people with the league intentionally leaked the emails in order to force him out.
Tomlin worked on Gruden’s staff with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002 and 2003. Even if the Steelers wanted to hire Gruden, there would be questions about whether the NFL would try to block the move. Though, Gruden did work with one team this past offseason.
Canada has faced increased pressure in recent weeks as Pittsburgh’s offense continues to struggle. Many fans want to see him fired, but Tomlin has given no indication that he is ready to make that move.
