Jon Gruden rumors are a staple of the NFL news cycle at the end of every season. However, it’s been a long time since they’ve actually carried enough weight to demand our attention. Gruden has a very good job at ESPN, a job he’s very handsomely compensated for, and it’s a better gig than the stress and strain and never-ending hours of working on an NFL sideline.
Jon Gruden coaching rumors are back, and this time they’re kind of worth paying attention to
Could the Rams finally persuade Gruden to leave the broadcast booth and return to the sidelines? Maybe! They’re pretty desperate.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
But this year, the Gruden rumors seems to have a little more weight behind them, thanks to the coaching vacancy the Los Angeles Rams have after firing Jeff Fisher earlier this month.
On Tuesday, news surfaced that the Rams were “moving toward a meeting with” Gruden. All that means, when you read between the lines, is that the team wants to talk to Gruden and possibly throw a bunch of money at him to give the team some credibility with a Los Angeles fan base that’s already dubious.
We should note that it’s been said that Gruden would listen to what the Rams have to offer.
Gruden hasn’t coached a team since 2008, so there’s no reason to think that he could magically pick up a headset and slip right back into it. One person in the NFL who knows him said his personality on the sidelines is much different than it is in the booth.
There’s definitely more to the Gruden rumors this time around, but until we actually get reports of a meeting between the Rams and him, it’s safe to assume that this is the Rams trying to get word out that they want to make a splash with their next hire.
PRO BOWL, GET HYPE: The Pro Bowl is going back to the old NFC vs. AFC format, and the rosters — or at least the first stab at them until everyone starts backing out — were announced on Tuesday night. Ezekiel Elliott and Matt Ryan lead the NFC. Ryan is one of six Falcons players selected. Tom Brady and Antonio Brown headline the AFC squad.
- Six teams didn’t have a single player named to the Pro Bowl: 49ers, Bears, Jaguars, Jets, Lions, and Saints. The Niners and Bears, I get, but the Lions flat out got snubbed.
- Chris Harris and Aqib Talib are the only cornerback duo from the same team, the Broncos, to make the Pro Bowl together in two consecutive years in the free agent era.
- Only five players in NFL history have been named to the Pro Bowl for the first 10 years of their career. Joe Thomas is the fifth.
WEEK 16 PICKS: Experts say Steelers win AFC North, Giants, and Chiefs clinch playoff bids. The playoff field will get a little more crowded, if SB Nation’s experts are correct.
DALLAS’ SECRET WEAPON: The Cowboys unleashed a pass rusher they didn’t know they had against the Buccaneers. Injuries forced the Dallas Cowboys to move David Irving outside, where the Buccaneers had no answers for the pressure he brought.
GIANTS PUNISHED: NFL fines Ben McAdoo and Giants, downgrades draft pick for walkie-talkie use. New York punished for violation of league rules. Seems like a slap on the wrist compared to some of the league’s recent punishments.
SHERMAN SLIPPED UP: Richard Sherman apologizes after telling reporter “I’ll ruin your career.” One of the best corners in the league tried to walk back his harsh comments. His latest comments are not going over well with media and fans. Surprise.
ROMO TO CHICAGO? Could Tony Romo be the Bears’ starting quarterback in 2017? John Clayton thinks so, but it’s just speculation. So, where does Matt Barkley fit in Chicago’s 2017 plans?
FEED UP WITH BURFICT: Ben Roethlisberger claims Bengals players frustrated with Vontaze Burfict. The quarterback took to the airwaves to speak his mind on the controversial Bengals linebacker earlier this week. He had A LOT to say about him. Burfict’s been playing like this since high school. Check out his history of not caring about the well-being of others.
See More:
