NFL teams across the league have begun OTAs—voluntary workouts—but next week marks the start of mandatory minicamps. At that point, any unexcused absences, often tied to contract disputes, could result in fines for players.
One team that doesn’t appear to be dealing with any of that offseason drama is the Baltimore Ravens, who enter the 2025 season with high expectations under longtime head coach John Harbaugh.
That said, an unexpected development caught attention on Thursday: former Super Bowl–winning head coach and current Barstool Sports personality Jon Gruden was spotted at Ravens OTA practice.
Check it out:
The appearance raised eyebrows, as Gruden—who hasn’t coached since 2021—has expressed continued interest in returning to the NFL. His passion for the game, despite his absence from the sidelines, remains unmistakably strong.
“Yeah, I'm interested in coaching,” Gruden told CBS Sports in 2024. “My dad was a college coach, I was a college coach at Pitt, my wife was a cheerleader at Tennessee when I met her. Hell yeah, I’m interested in coaching. I know I can help a team, I know I can help young players get better, and I know I can hire a good staff, and that’s the only thing I can guarantee. But yeah, I’m very interested in coaching at any level, period.”
Former Las Vegas Raiders head coach and current Barstool Sports analyst Jon Gruden.
Former Las Vegas Raiders head coach and current Barstool Sports analyst Jon Gruden.
Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images
Gruden was long regarded as one of the top coaches of the 2000s. In 2002, he led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory and was named NFL Coach of the Year. Prior to that, he guided the then-Oakland Raiders to back-to-back division titles in 2000 and 2001, compiling a 40–28 record over his first four seasons as a head coach.
After several years away from the sidelines, Gruden returned to the Raiders in 2018. However, his second stint was cut short in 2021 when a series of leaked emails—spanning from 2011 to 2018—revealed racist, misogynistic, and homophobic language, ultimately leading to his resignation.
Since then, after a period out of the public eye, Gruden joined Barstool Sports, a prominent sports media company, where he has become a recognizable figure in their football content.