Rumors Bruce Allen interested in re-uniting with Jon Gruden in Oakland

It’s just rumors at this point, or ‘talk’ as it were, but Pro Football ‘Talk’ is reporting that there are those who believe Bruce Allen would like to return to the Raiders to reunite with Jon Gruden.

This comes on the heels of reports the Raiders could be overhauling their personnel department, including the potential departure Personnel Director Joey Clinkscales. Though, there is not yet an indication ‘overhaul’ would be right word.

Allen and Gruden were with the Raiders together in Oakland during Gruden’s entire 4-year tenure as Raiders head coach. In 2002, Gruden was traded to the Buccaneers and Allen was still with the Raiders when they faced Gruden in the Super Bowl that year.

The following year, the Buccaneers fired GM Rich McKay and hired Allen to the position because of his previous relationship with Gruden in Oakland. The two were head coach and GM for the Bucs for Gruden’s final six seasons in Tampa.

When Gruden was out, Allen was out. He was then hired as GM in Washington in 2009, a position he held for six years. In 2014, he named Jon’s brother Jay Gruden as head coach which means 14 of Allen’s 23 years as an executive, he’s worked with a Gruden as his head coach.

Shortly after Jay Gruden’s hire, Allen was named Team President. He gave up all GM duties in early 2015.

Though Allen and Jon Gruden enjoyed great success in Oakland from 1998-01, Allen’s teams have not fared nearly as well since then. In 15 years in Tampa and Washington, his teams have made the playoffs just four times without winning a single playoff game.

The Bucs had a 45-51 record in his six years with Jon in Tampa, including 0-2 in playoff appearances. In his 9-year tenure in Washington the team has gone 56-87 in the regular season and 0-2 in the playoffs.

Based on some of the reactions I’ve seen, Washington fans would welcome Allen’s departure. Not winning a playoff game in nine years won’t generate many attachments.

It is assumed should these rumors of his interest become reality, he would not be working with the Raiders in any football personnel capacity, but rather on the business end of things.