Jon Gruden has not been in the NFL booth since 2017, but a report indicates that he will make a brief return to take on a new role.
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According to Tampa Bay Buccaneers reporter Ira Kaufman of JoeBucsFan, the former ESPN color analyst will try his hand at play-by-play during the 2026 NFL preseason. Kaufman did not note the team or the broadcast partner for this reported appearance.
Breaking News: @IKaufman76 of @JoeBucsFan tells @realrockriley on WDAE that Jon Gruden will be doing play-by-play for an NFL preseason game in about a month. Who else is excited about Gruden back on the mic?#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/DeiUCG6q7N
— 95.7 WDAE & AM620 (@957WDAE) July 14, 2026
"In about a month, in about a month, Jon Gruden will be doing play-by-play on an NFL game," Kaufman said during an appearance on 95.7 WMAE with Rock Riley.
The report comes after Kaufman sat down with Gruden for an episode of the Ira Kaufman Podcast. It was during this appearance that the Super Bowl-winning coach confirmed that he wants to do some play-by-play after spending nine years providing analysis.
Gruden specifically mentioned that he would like the role previously held by Gene Deckerhoff, who retired after 37 years doing play-by-play for the Buccaneers' radio broadcasts.
"I was a broadcaster for nine years. Hell's bells," Gruden said during the podcast appearance. "I want to be play-by-play. You know, Frank Gifford, he transitioned into the play-by-play role.
"I would like to transition. I had nine years of watching these guys — (Mike) Tirico. And I'd like to give that a shot, man."
The longtime coach-turned-broadcaster obviously has ties to the Buccaneers. He spent seven years leading the team (2002-08) after a high-profile trade between the Buccaneers and Raiders.
He led the team to a 57-55 record in the regular season and a 3-2 record in the playoffs. All three of these playoff wins came during his first season leading the Buccaneers (2002).
The team defeated the 49ers in the divisional round and the Eagles in the NFC championship. The Buccaneers then defeated the Raiders, Gruden's former team, in Super Bowl 37.
The veteran coach lost his job after a 9-7 season in 2008. He then moved over to ESPN and joined the Monday Night Football broadcast. He remained in the booth from 2009-17 after replacing Tony Kornheiser.
