More Talk That Buccaneers Are Expected To Make Serious Run At Jon Gruden

Tom Pelissero of NFL Media continues to speak with “wired-in NFL people” who are convinced that the Buccaneers are going to make a serious run at luring Jon Gruden back to the NFL as their head coach, replacing Dirk Koetter.

Pelissero says it will take a “mammoth” contract to convince Gruden to leave ESPN. However, Pelissero adds that “word is Gruden is more inclined than ever to consider it, and there are reasons to think the team that fired him nine years ago makes a lot of sense.”

Gruden still has an office in Tampa Bay and was just inducted into the team’s ring of honor. Beyond that, bringing Gruden back would be a popular move among the team’s fanbase.

Should the Buccaneers manage to convince Gruden to return, Pelissero expects a deal to happen quickly.

There have been concerns about Bucs QB Jameis Winston and his lack of development, but Gruden said during ESPN’s broadcast Monday night that he believes in his potential.

Multiple reports from the past few months have mentioned that this seriously one possibility worth watching, even though Gruden has resisted returning to the NFL for several years.

 

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 Buccaneers as the news is available.