Jon Gruden’s back in the NFL orbit, and it’s got the football world buzzing with curiosity. Four years after an email scandal forced him out of his head coaching gig with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Super Bowl champ was spotted at Baltimore Ravens OTAs this week, soaking in practices on Thursday and Friday. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, the 2019 Coach of the Year, welcomed Gruden’s presence, praising his football acumen on the team’s website. “He loves football, he’s a great football mind,” Harbaugh said, noting that Gruden studied the Ravens’ schemes and offered sharp insights to players and coaches alike. From defensive game plans to tips for offensive players, Gruden’s detailed feedback—like how he’d attack Baltimore’s defense—showed he’s still got that coaching fire.
Gruden didn’t just show up with a clipboard and a smile; he dove deep, breaking down film and giving personalized pointers without a playbook or script. “He had something for each player. Very, very detailed,” Harbaugh said, per the Ravens’ site. While it’s unclear if this is a stepping stone to a full-blown coaching comeback, Gruden’s not hiding his itch to return. On the Fitz & Whit podcast earlier this year, the 62-year-old admitted, “I miss it.” Reflecting on his Raiders tenure, he lamented how his 2021 team—3-0 with wins over playoff squads—was on the cusp of something special before it unraveled. “It really crushes me to see how everybody went different directions real fast,” he said, hinting at his hunger for one more shot.
For now, Gruden’s keeping busy, studying the game and hosting college and NFL coaches at his Tampa base, claiming he’s had more visitors than any coach in the league. “I’m scratching that itch,” he said, showing he’s reinvented himself while still dreaming of the sideline. His Ravens visit isn’t a contract offer, but it’s a sign he’s not done with football. Whether he gets that second chance remains up in the air, but Gruden’s presence in Baltimore—offering the kind of insight that once led Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl—proves he’s still got plenty to offer.
