While the 2017 NFL playoffs have been entertaining, the Oakland Raiders are watching from home as they finished the 2017 NFL season with a 6-10 record. The Raiders missing the playoffs is a letdown given that many believed they could make a Super Bowl run after a successful 2016 NFL campaign.
However, immediately following their loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in their season finale, Jack Del Rio was fired. Jon Gruden, who last coached Oakland in 2001, was a popular name that was brought up to fill the sudden head coaching vacancy for the team.
Accoridng to the Raiders, it appears that Gruden will indeed return to the Raiders’ sideline:
The Oakland Raiders will host a press conference at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 9 to officially introduce Jon Gruden as the new head coach of the Silver and Black.”
This comes as no surprise given how many reports stated that Oakland had Gruden in mind as soon as Del Rio was let go. Early details of Gruden’s contract have him pegged to make $100 million for ten years, easily resetting the market for coaching contracts.
Although Gruden has not coached in nearly 10 years, his arrival should reenergize a fan base with high expectations. It will be interesting to see how this renewed partnership works out.
