Jon Gruden's awkward last week at ESPN

The “Grumors” appear to be true this time, and the business-as-usual approach at ESPN is bothering some.

ESPN has been tight-lipped about Jon Gruden reportedly leaving for the Raiders, who may be offering him an ownership percentage, after his broadcast of the Chiefs-Titans wild-card game on Saturday.

“I don’t want to sit here and speculate. … There is no news to report,” Gruden told ESPN this weekend. “I can’t say I haven’t taken any phone calls. I take a lot every year from coaches, some others. … Yeah, sometimes owners. Guys want to bounce ideas off me. I’m here to help people.”

But some don’t think it would “help” the Chiefs or Titans to have Gruden inside production meetings, potentially siphoning off valuable information against AFC foes — particularly division rival Kansas City — as he gets ready to take over in Oakland.

The fact that Gruden’s own employer is behind the report and the Raiders already have fired Jack Del Rio speaks to the certainty of the story. On WFAN Tuesday morning, Boomer Esiason said that in league circles, it’s considered a “done deal.”

“He has no business being the color analyst for ESPN doing the game. No way. You can’t have both,” CBS’ Esiason said. “… I love Jon, I am happy that he’s back in the league. I want them to do well … but an active coach in the NFL under these circumstances should not be in the production meetings.”

ESPN is not saying if Gruden will be kept out of the production meetings. The network has turned down interview requests for the analyst and executives. The question is how much is divulged in those meetings, and would head coaches Andy Reid (Chiefs) and Mike Mularkey (Titans) keep any information closer to the vest because of Gruden’s involvement?

There was an interesting exchange between SI’s Richard Deitsch and ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt to that end.

You really think he’s going to learn something in a tv meeting that’s a eureka moment that will help him beat KC next year? C’mon. Those meetings aren’t “go over the playbook” chalk talks.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) January 1, 2018

Gruden, 54, coached the Raiders from 1998 to 2001 before moving on to the Buccaneers for a nine-year stint, including a Super Bowl XXXVII win over the Raiders. He has now been at ESPN for nine years.

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