The Oakland Raiders are reportedly set to see if they can lure Jon Gruden back to the fold to replace Jack Del Rio, who is said to be potentially on his way out.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen reported the Raiders will pursue Gruden, who won’t be headed to Tampa Bay after the Buccaneers committed to Dirk Koetter for at least on more season.
Per the report, “Gruden will be tempted to accept it, according to sources, but would prefer not to make any decisions until the regular season finishes Sunday and the Raiders make a final determination on their current head coach, Jack Del Rio, who signed a contract extension last summer.”
Here’s a bit more on why Gruden might be tempted to accept this position.
“He would return to an organization he didn’t want to leave in 2001, he would inherit a young quarterback in Derek Carr whom he feels strongly about, and he would get to coach a team that is slated to move in 2020 to Las Vegas, where he would not have to pay state tax, as he does now in Florida, where he currently lives. Gruden’s contract even could be backloaded to pay him more in the Nevada years and lessen his tax burden during the Oakland ones.”
Additionally, per the report Mark Davis has offered Gruden an ownership stake previously, which could potentially come into play again.
If Gruden did end up back in Oakland, then he’d be given the power to transform the entire organization, including the front office and coaching staff, per the report.
Oakland has suffered through a miserable 2017, going 6-9 while taking steps in the wrong direction at pretty much every conceivable level. This team needs a shot in the arm in a big way, especially since it will soon be leaving Northern California for Las Vegas.