Raiders Preparing To Target Jon Gruden, Could Offer Ownership Stake

Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen report that the Raiders are preparing to pursue HC Jon Gruden with an offer that could include an ownership stake in the franchise.

According to ESPN, Gruden will be tempted to accept the offer from the Raiders. However, Gruden reportedly prefers to wait until after the season before making any decisions regarding the opportunity become the Raiders’ head coach.

The Raiders’ job reportedly appeals to Gruden for a number of reasons including that the fact that they have Derek Carr in place as their starting quarterback and the fact that he didn’t want to leave Oakland back in 2001 when he was traded to the Buccaneers. Beyond that, Gruden would be slated to coach the team as they prepare to move to Las Vegas for the 2020 season and wouldn’t have to pay state tax.

Sources tell ESPN that Raiders’ owner Mark Davis has offered an ownership stake in the franchise previously and if they were to do so again, NFL owners are expected to approve the deal.

Gruden declined to comment on the report.

“I don’t want to sit here and speculate. … There is no news to report,” Gruden said. “I can’t say I haven’t taken any phone calls. I take a lot every year from coaches, some others. … Yeah, sometimes owners. Guys want to bounce ideas off me. I’m here to help people.”

Gruden, 54, began his coaching career with the Raiders back in 1998. He was actually traded to the Buccaneers in 2002 after years in Oakland.

During Gruden’s 11-year coaching career, he posted a record of 95 and 81 (.540) to go along with four division titles and a Super Bowl Championship with the Buccaneers.

We’ll have more regarding Gruden and the Raiders as the news is available.