A Super Bowl-winning head coach may be back in the fray in 2025, according to the NFL Network. Teams are reportedly keeping an eye on Jon Gruden, but they are doing “extensive homework” on him “as a coach” and “as a person” due to the controversy surrounding him a couple of years ago. Gruden was forced to leave his job with the Las Vegas Raiders after his 10-year deal was cut short due to the discovery of emails which former NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, among others, which were described as racist, misogynistic, and homophobic. Gruden has apologized for his actions and said he is a “good person” who has made mistakes, but is asking for forgiveness.
Despite the controversy, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said he believes Gruden’s name may come up again in the coming weeks as teams begin to interview candidates for head coaching jobs. Gruden joined Barstool Sports in November and has had interest from the New Orleans Saints, who had considered him for a coaching position last year.
Gruden has a successful coaching background, having won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003 and being inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2017. However, he was removed from the Ring of Honor in 2021 due to the scandal.