:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58160105/75942673.jpg.0.jpg)
Saturday, on the eve of the Raiders’ season finale, ESPN dropped a bombshell report that said Mark Davis is preparing a blockbuster offer to Jon Gruden to be the Raiders’ next head coach.
Among the reported details of the offer, Davis is said to be willing to give Gruden $10 million per season and an ownership stake in the team.
Both Mark Davis and Jon Gruden have independently been contacted by media and their responses are somewhat telling.
“C’mon man, I’m out with my wife. This is crazy,” Gruden told Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group. “I was supposed to be going to Tampa last week. What have they got? I don’t know.”
Asked how to best characterize the situation, Gruden said, `I’ve got nothing to report. I’m at an Outback Bowl event with my wife.”
Not ten minutes later, it was Davis’s turn to speak on it and, like Gruden, he didn’t outright deny the reports, saying simply “Those rumors come about every year” according to NBC Sports Bay Area.
Aside from Davis and Gruden’s commentary on the reports, some pretty eye opening and thought provoking commentary has come out about it from around the NFL world.
As I've said for a while, if Gruden wants the Raiders job, it's his. That has been true for several vacancies or almost-vacancies. https://t.co/AJfWprSXnu
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) December 31, 2017
I don't know if Gruden will actually take the job or when. It might take the Raiders deciding whether they can fire Del Rio first HOPING Gruden will take it. Gets tricky.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) December 31, 2017
Yep. Yep. Yep.
— Dieter Kurtenbach (@dkurtenbach) December 31, 2017
This has always been Mark Davis’ plan 1.
The real question: is Gruden dicking him around again or is he intested in getting back into the ring?
More than a few think Gruden knows his HC window is closing and fast. https://t.co/Hb0BpNPh8g
I've actually heard that there are two main draws for Gruden: 1) Derek Carr; 2) Living in the Bay Area again. https://t.co/gKPu0m2tWh
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) December 31, 2017
It was one tip-off when Greg Papa, the Raiders radio guy, brought up the possibility of firing Del Rio and hiring Jon Gruden ... several weeks ago.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) December 31, 2017
Mark Davis wants to hire Jon Gruden. I have believed that for years and if anything the intensity of this has gone up by a lot this time around. It's Gruden's decision. https://t.co/mXFbc3WPll
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) December 31, 2017
All depends on where the leak is coming from. If it’s the Raiders, I’d buy it (but I’m skeptical that’s the case). If it’s Gruden — well, Jon could be telling the truth, but this is the guy who had no problem stoking false Tennessee Grumors for the last two-plus year’s.
— Dieter Kurtenbach (@dkurtenbach) December 31, 2017
There's no way ESPN would be reporting that ESPN employee Jon Gruden could be coaching the Raiders if it wasn't real.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 31, 2017
Timing does make sense: Good NFL source told me weeks ago that it would either be Tampa or the Raiders for Gruden. Yesterday, Tampa decided to keep Koetter. So...
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) December 31, 2017
Basically, Gruden coming to Oakland keeps the #Raiders relevant in the Bay Area.
— Bonta Hill (@BontaHill) December 31, 2017
As my partner in crime mentioned a few weeks ago, Gruden's youngest son will be entering his last year of high school. Will Gruden be willing to move cross country and miss his sons last year of high school? Hmmm....
— Bonta Hill (@BontaHill) December 31, 2017
I should clarify: The NFL source said it'd be Tampa or the Raiders for Gruden's INTEREST. Not that he'd actually take the job. Just that he'd be most interested in two spots. Now it's one. But still can say no obviously.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) December 31, 2017
I scoffed at all Grumors too, until I read this from @PewterReport. Gruden goes out of his way to make it very clear he's ready to coach again. Can't read this and think anything else. https://t.co/j832NYoKgw
— Frank Schwab (@YahooSchwab) December 31, 2017
Unhappy with season, Davis has no problem letting Del Rio sweat https://t.co/RAW1dWoj3f
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) December 31, 2017
NFL quietly has been holding down coaching salaries. Management Council won’t be thrilled about Raiders giving Gruden equity.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 31, 2017
So the Raiders have gone from extending Del Rio to (reportedly) offering ownership stake to lure Gruden — in a span of 10 months. So reactionary
— Marcus Thompson (@ThompsonScribe) December 31, 2017
Coach who Jon Gruden spoke with said Gruden would coach again ..if he gets a quality QB and has direct contact with the owner .. sounds like the Raiders are right in line with their man! #NFL
— Chris Myers (@The_ChrisMyers) December 31, 2017
Overall, this still feels like a Bob LaMonte special. Leverages Mark Davis to keep ESPN from trying to claw back salary from Gruden. LaMonte is also Del Rio's agent and got him a timely extension. He knows how to play Mark. If it does happen, Gruden probably gets best deal ever.
— Christopher Hansen (@ChrisHansenNFL) December 31, 2017
I thought it was 60-40 in Del Rio's favor before this report. I would say it's less than that now, even if Gruden doesn't take the job. It's destabilizing. https://t.co/NSTAJmLWry
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) December 31, 2017
Let's say Gruden doesn't take the job and the Raiders haven't fired Jack Del Rio after letting him twist. How does Del Rio stand up in that locker room in 2018 and tell them he's the boss?
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) December 31, 2017
I'm told the Bucs made a run at Jon Gruden. The Raiders (apparently) prevailed. @AroundTheNFL @nflnetwork
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) December 31, 2017
Hopefully all of this has helped you see this situation from various sides, come to a better understanding of exactly where everything stands, and can form an educated opinion on the matter.
Poll
What do you think of all this Jon Gruden talk?
This poll is closed
-
48%
I think it’s real and I love it
(1274 votes) -
6%
I think it’s real but don’t care
(177 votes) -
7%
I think it’s real and I hate it
(194 votes) -
37%
I think it’s the same old rumors that will lead no where
(972 votes)
Loading comments...