"Chucky" has a chance to return to the NFL sidelines in 2025. That's right, Jon Gruden is reportedly in the mix as NFL teams begin preparing for head coach interviews.
Videos by FanBuzz
NFL insider Tom Pelissero identified Gruden as a name to watch during an appearance on "Good Morning Football." He said that teams have been doing extensive homework on Gruden while preparing for their first opportunities to interview candidates.
Pelissero clarified that having Gruden's name in the mix doesn't guarantee that he will have a job in 2025.
"Keep an eye on Jon Gruden," Pelissero said. "We have not seen Gruden on a full-time basis in the NFL since back in 2021 when he resigned after offensive emails were leaked to the media that he had sent while working as an analyst at ESPN.
"However, he has remained engaged. We saw him on the sideline with the Bucs owners earlier this fall. We saw him working with the Saints back in training camp last year. My understanding is if he had wanted the Saints offensive coordinator job last year, he could have had it."
From @gmfb: Breaking down some big names in the upcoming coaching carousel with @PSchrags — and one surprise name you may hear. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/t3dfHIiCu2
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 31, 2024
Gruden spent the better part of 15 years as an NFL head coach, split between the Raiders and the Buccaneers. He compiled a winning record and won a Super Bowl while earning the nickname of "Chucky" due to a perceived likeness to the fictional movie character.
Gruden's head coaching career began in Oakland in 1998. He took over the Raiders and spent four seasons in this role. He never had a losing season, and he led the Silver and Black to the playoffs twice.
This run included a controversial loss to Tom Brady and the Patriots in which officials ruled that a game-sealing fumble was actually an incomplete pass. This was the "Tuck Rule" that allowed the Patriots to tie the game and force overtime.
Gruden headed to Tampa after the 2001 season via a high-profile trade. He replaced Tony Dungy as Buccaneers head coach and immediately led the team to the Promised Land in his first season. The Bucs went 12-4 in the 2002 regular season and then 3-0 in the playoffs before becoming Super Bowl champions.
The Dayton alum spent seven seasons with the Buccaneers and compiled a win-loss record of 57-55. He led the team to the playoffs three times but only won the NFC once. The Buccaneers fired him and GM Bruce Allen after the 2008 season.
The veteran coach remained out of the NFL from 2009-17 as he worked at ESPN as an analyst. He was part of the "Monday Night Football" team, and he guided numerous quarterback prospects on "Jon Gruden's QB Camp." He also helped call multiple high-profile college football games.
Chucky returned to the NFL in 2018 as he reunited with the Raiders. He coached the team during its final two seasons in Oakland and then moved to Las Vegas with the Silver and Black.
Gruden compiled a win-loss record of 22-31 before resigning in the wake of controversial emails being leaked to the "New York Times." He filed a lawsuit against the NFL, which was ongoing as of October.
The former head coach returned to the spotlight in a different manner in November. He signed a multi-year deal with Barstool Sports and has since spent time breaking down NFL matchups, highlighting under-the-radar players, and learning about iced coffee.
