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Jon Gruden has been very vocal about wanting to return to the sidelines, but he may have another stop first.
Gruden’s coaching days have been in limbo since parting ways with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 during his third year of a 10-year contract. He left after emails emerged showing he had used racist, sexist and homophobic language.
The leaked messages were from when he was an ESPN analyst and ‘Monday Night Football’ broadcaster. Ironically, his next pro football appearance may come the same way.
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Then-Raiders head coach Jon Gruden runs off the field at halftime during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Oct. 10, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
According to Ira Kaufman of JoeBucsFan, Gruden is slated to be on call for an NFL preseason game, and Kaufman “believes[s]“He will play piece by piece.
Gruden’s agency did not immediately respond to an email from Pakinomist Digital.
As he searches for jobs in pro football, Gruden has made a name for himself with Barstool Sports, doing film studio interviews with prospective quarterbacks, just as he had done with ESPN years ago.
Gruden sued the NFL after he left the Raiders, alleging a “malicious and orchestrated campaign” was used to destroy his career by leaking the emails.
Gruden was the recipient of a key ruling in his case against the league in August, when the Nevada Supreme Court ruled that his case could proceed in court instead of arbitration. In October, the Nevada Supreme Court unanimously rejected the NFL’s petition to reconsider that decision.
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden talks with quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. (Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports)
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“Hopefully I’m not done. I’m making a comeback,” Gruden said of coaching last July. “Hopefully some of these guys who fell off my branch, if you put it that way, might hire me because I’m looking for a job.
“I don’t care if I’m coaching at Jones Junior High. I’m going to coach again. I’m still coaching. I’m just not on a team officially, but I’ve got some private jobs I’m working on and I’m wearing some gear when I’m watching the games that nobody knows who I’m rooting for.”
Gruden shot down reports that he was offered a role with the New York Jets, saying he got “nothing” from them.
Las Vegas Raiders head coach John Gruden reacts before a game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
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Gruden won the Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003.
