Ian Rapoport reacts to speculation Jon Gruden could return to NFL: 'I wouldn't rule it out'

Earlier this week, Jon Gruden got the NFL world talking when he teased a potential return to the league. He has not coached since his departure from his second stint with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021, though he served as a consultant for the New Orleans Saints in 2023.

When asked whether Gruden could be back on NFL sidelines, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said some franchises looked into hiring him as a coordinator. In fact, he said he “wouldn’t rule out” a return.

Rapoport pointed out there would need to be some legal steps to be taken if a team wanted to hire Gruden. While teams haven’t necessarily expressed head coaching interest, he said some inquired about coordinator openings even though Gruden is in a “good spot” with Barstool Sports. That said, Rapoport didn’t close the door on a comeback.

“There’s still some legal issues that need to be worked through,” Rapoport said on The Dan Patrick Show. “Now, if somebody wants to hire him, my sense is if there would be things where everybody could get together on the legal side and figure it out and either compromise or settle it, handle it, whatever, perhaps. I’m sure there’s some interest. I haven’t heard any team particularly trying to hire him as a head coach. I did know there were some teams that thought about hiring him as a coordinator, which, would be hard to have a better hire than that as a coordinator.

“I would say, to me – as someone who likes football content, as much as football – I kind of like him where he is, to be honest. That’s just, like, selfish. He’s in a great spot. I think his stuff is really good. But I wouldn’t rule it out. I really wouldn’t.”

Gruden has a career 117-112 record as a head coach with the Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including a Super Bowl title with the Bucs in 2002. His departure from Las Vegas came after the New York Times reported he sent homophobic, misogynistic and racist messages sent to former Washington Commanders general manager Bruce Allen between 2011 and 2018.

However, Jon Gruden recently teased he’s considering a return. He said he’s “looking for a job,” and is looking to get back to the league.

“Hopefully I’m not done,” Gruden said, via the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett. “I’m about to make a comeback. I’m working hard to maybe get one more shot, but hopefully some of these guys that fell off my branch, if you say it that way, maybe they can hire me cause I’m looking for a job.”