Retired NFL head coach Jon Gruden is, once again, flirting with the idea of returning to the sidelines.
Charlie Campbell, via NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal, reports that Gruden has already began the process of finding potential assistant coaches in the event that the “perfect opportunity” opens up. Becoming a bit of an annual event, as the NFL season wears on and coaching vacancies become more anticipated, Gruden — having the leverage of a plush ESPN commentary gig — leaves the door open for a potential return. In this instance, however, Gruden’s idea of a “perfect opportunity” does not involve his home state of Ohio as much as it does a large market like, say, Philadelphia and the struggling Eagles.
Given his name and successes as a head coach, Gruden has long been linked to potential jobs in Cleveland, though recently being rumored to have turned down any chances at coaching the Browns upon the arrival of Mike Holmgren. As rumors surrounding Pat Shurmur’s job continue to swirl, it is safe to expect Gruden’s name thrown into the mix despite the chances of him even considering the lakefront job being less than remote.
[Related: Cleveland Browns Film Room: Game 9, the Fullback Pass]
