Jon Gruden Wants A Play-By-Play Job
July 14th, 2026
Yes, Buccaneers Ring of Honor head coach Jon Gruden wants a new job — even though he has a gig with Barstool Sports.
Ira Kaufman and Joe spent a couple of hours at Gruden’s Tampa office on Friday and walked away with a 25-minute interview for the Ira Kaufman Podcast.
During the sitdown, Gruden said he’d like the job vacated by Bucs radio play-by-play man Gene Deckerhoff. But Gruden expounded to explain he’s serious about play-by-play on a national scale.
“I was a broadcaster for nine years; hell’s bells,” Gruden said. “I want to be play-by-play. You know, Frank Gifford, he transitioned into the play-by-play role. I would like to transition. I had nine years of watching these guys — [Mike] Tirico. And I’d like to give that a shot, man.”
For those unaware, Gifford was a Hall of Fame player for the Giants in the 1950s and 1960s before he became an iconic Monday Night Football voice for decades — color analyst and play-by-play.
Gruden is not joking about a new broadcast role. Expect a more formal announcement on that front soon.
July 14th, 2026 at 8:02 am
This guy has been blackballed because of some inane comments he made that were done in Private. The NFL is a joke politically the way that cave to the DEI agenda. anything for Money is OK though. I am sick of their greed and political correctness statements on the field and elsewhere. Bunch of Hypocrites but love Football. Shame the owners are Scum. Go Bucs!!
July 14th, 2026 at 8:04 am
Seems like kind of a natural.
July 14th, 2026 at 8:09 am
I’d like for that to happen again.
July 14th, 2026 at 8:11 am
honestly i’d rather have him doing play by play over color.
July 14th, 2026 at 8:19 am
What’s up with blocking comments Joe?
July 14th, 2026 at 8:21 am
Describing the owners as greedy pigs is controversial?
July 14th, 2026 at 8:40 am
I don’t care for Gruden.
July 14th, 2026 at 8:41 am
He’s a color analyst!
Play by play is not Gruden at all!
July 14th, 2026 at 8:44 am
Have no idea why he’s not coaching as Offensive Cordinator or HC somewhere. He was railroaded by the commissioner.
July 14th, 2026 at 8:45 am
Gruden is a natural. He is good for the fans and football
July 14th, 2026 at 8:55 am
@Joe @Jon
Hearing Jon Gruden’s voice instantly takes me back. That’s pure Buccaneers nostalgia my friend. Love him or hate him, Gruden has unmatched energy, football IQ, and a way of making you want to run through a brick wall. If he lands a national play-by-play job, I’ll be tuning in.
Chucky is still one of a kind. 🏴☠️
Green Right Strong, Z Right, Spider 2 Y Banana!!
🔥 LFG!!
💍 ME!!
🏈 TB FANS ARE BRICKED UP for ‘26!!
July 14th, 2026 at 8:56 am
The fact that you felt the need to explain who Frank Gifford was to the audience here is proof that I’m getting older. To the younger guys unaware, as Joe noted. Gifford was an outstanding player in his day. And it’s worth looking up – a black and white photo of him motionless on the field laid out by a devastating hit by Chuck Bednarik. One of the iconic pics of the NFL as it was becoming more and more popular, positioning itself to overtake baseball as the US”s favorite game.
July 14th, 2026 at 8:56 am
Gruden doing play by play sounds fun
July 14th, 2026 at 9:23 am
It would have been awesome to hear Gruden call the 3rd and 28, 4th and 14 collapse against Atlanta and the immortal Kirk’s Cousin.
Has anyone asked Todd why like half of Cousins’ career yards are against Bolwes, while he sucks against everyone else?
July 14th, 2026 at 9:32 am
If Tony Romo was good at color commentating he would be Gruden. There’s a fine line between annoying and entertaining, and Gruden knows how to stay on the right side of the line
July 14th, 2026 at 9:35 am
I’d listen to it if it was uncensored, much like the Manningcast is better on Monday nights than the usual driveling we hear from the stiffs in the booth.
July 14th, 2026 at 9:36 am
Sheesh Joe – who ran afoul of the moderators on here? Everything is pending moderation review. Has VAR infiltrated your site?
July 14th, 2026 at 9:46 am
Gruden was already a good color analyst and with his vast knowledge he could easily transition into the play by play.
July 14th, 2026 at 9:54 am
Replace Collinsworth with anyone! White noise! Road noise! Anything!
July 14th, 2026 at 9:55 am
He told WDAE last week that he’d basically give ANYTHING to be able to be on the sidelines again, and get a Head Coaching Job. I told people on here awhile back that he would’ve given ANYTHING for that USF Job… In a HEARTBEAT. When, several others on here, were acting as if “HE” was above it!? Well, those people weren’t paying attention. Even though, I already KNEW that USF was not looking to go anywhere NEAR that direction. As he was telling this to T-Krass last week… I was thinking, why doesn’t he just takeover one of these local High Schools here, then!? Build a ‘national’ POWER… IF he’s really DYING to be back on the sidelines again. Consolidate some of this local talent here in Pinellas County, and recruit some of these tall, long, and fast ELITE WR’s that Pasco County (and Hillsborough) have been producing. He should be able to get about ANY QB HE WANTS!!!! Calvary would be a GREAT SPOT for him… Though, I’d like it even better to see him at a Public school, even. He’s worked with the Clearwater HS Football Program in the past. Honestly, I don’t know WHY the Bucs didn’t hire HIM to replace Gene!? He would be been perfect. Guess that’s the problem… Made just too much sense.
July 14th, 2026 at 10:13 am
DEIA stands for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility. They always leave off the A. I guess you look like a monster railing against accessibility.
July 14th, 2026 at 10:28 am
He’s certainly has the gift of gab. His motor mouth is not lost for words.
July 14th, 2026 at 10:32 am
I’d like to see him transition from play by play to head coach in Tampa.
Good comment by Truth.
July 14th, 2026 at 10:51 am
@ Joe Bob Pigskin – “Head Coach in Tampa.”
I’m assuming that you are meaning at the “High School” level then, right!?
July 14th, 2026 at 10:55 am
@ Stanglassman Says: “accessibility.”
“Accessibility!?” Accessibility to WHAT!? Who’s trying to hold whom back, or keeping them away from ANYTHING!? That’s nothing but just another BS word. Completely EMPTY, and meaningless. And, YOU’RE actually buying THAT!? Any of it!? Shew.
July 14th, 2026 at 11:26 am
Melvin “Accessibility!?” Is for the disabled people. It mandates reasonable accommodations, such as screen readers for digital content and wheelchair ramps, to create equitable opportunities for disabled persons.
Maybe you’re old school and think the disabled should stay out of the public and there should be no accommodations for them so they can work or go to church?