Gruden deal worth $100M over 10 yrs
Jon Gruden will be introduced as the next Raiders head coach on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
He’d better bring a Brink’s truck with him.
The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Raiders are preparing a whopping 10-year contract for Gruden and “the expectation is that it eclipses $100M.”
The Raiders have been locked in on Gruden — who has been out of coaching since 2008 — as reports surfaced of a reunion last weekend. Gruden coached the Raiders to a 38-26 record over four seasons before being traded to the Buccaneers by Al Davis in 2001.
Gruden, 54, said earlier this week on ESPN radio that “there’s a good chance” he’d be the new Raiders coach. Looks like it is time to upgrade “good” to “done.”
The Raiders fired Jack Del Rio Sunday after Oakland finished 6-10 after starting the season with playoff aspirations.
Gruden, who has been an ESPN analyst calling “Monday Night Football” games since 2009, led the Raiders to back-to-back playoff appearances in his final two seasons in Oakland. His final game as head coach of the black-and-silver came on Jan. 19, 2002 when the Raiders lost to New England in the infamous “Tuck Rule” game.
That offseason, Gruden was traded to the Bucs for four draft picks (including two first rounders) and $8 million. Al Davis was worried about losing Gruden when his contract expired the following year.
Gruden had immediate success in Tampa and after a 12-4 regular season the Buccaneers went on to win their first Super Bowl title. In an ironic twist, Gruden beat his former team in Super Bowl XXXVII, 48-21.
Bill Callahan took over for Gruden and won 11 games en route to the AFC title. The following season, the Raiders slumped to 4-12 and the franchise didn’t have another winning season until 2016 under Del Rio.
Now Al Davis’ son Mark is apparently willing to do just about anything to secure Gruden’s return to the franchise.
ESPN reported last weekend that Mark Davis was even willing to cough up an ownership stake in the franchise that’s slated to move to Las Vegas in 2020. Gruden denied that report.
Gruden, who went just 57-55 in seven seasons in Tampa, was fired after the Bucs collapsed down the stretch in 2008. Tampa lost four straight games and missed the playoffs after a 9-3 start.
He joined ESPN the following season.