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Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden got a little hot under the collar when a reporter at the NFL Scouting Combine had the gall to ask him about his terrible decision to let Khalil Mack go to the Chicago Bears.
The topic of Mack was broached at the Combine because the Raiders will have an extra first-round pick in this year and next year’s NFL Draft as a result of the trade.
Meanwhile, Mack ended the season with 47 tackles, 12.5 sacks (the most by a Bears player since 1993), six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and an interception which he returned for a TD.
But Gruden doesn’t want to hear anymore about that. After all, he was literally the only person in the world who was shocked at how good Mack is back in October.
“I’m getting tired of you bringing that up, Khalil Mack,” Gruden snapped at a reporter. “We made the trade for a lot of reasons, whether it’s popular or not … for the fans that aren’t happy about that, we’re really sorry about that.”
Gruden asked about getting 2019 picks from Mack trade: "I'm getting tired of you bringing that up, Khalil Mack. We made the trade for a lot of reasons, whether it's popular or not … for the fans that aren't happy about that, we're really sorry about that."
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) February 28, 2019
Not popular? Fans not happy? I have no idea what he’s talking about.
Gruden on Mack: "It's hard to replace a guy like that. It's sensitive. I'm still sensitive about it … I do know this: my brother didn't get anything for Kirk Cousins except a compensatory pick. At least we got some picks. We got a chance to do something with them."
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) February 28, 2019
Solid move throwing your brother Jay under the bus while defending yourself there, Jon.
— 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐆𝐋𝐘𝐍𝐍 (@willglynn66) February 28, 2019
Gruden also discussed at the Combine how much interest, or lack thereof, he has in beleaguered Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown.
“Well, I don’t like veteran players. I’ll just leave it at that,” Gruden said with a laugh. “We’re going to look at everybody’s availability and what is best for our team.”
Jon Gruden on possibility of trading for Steelers WR Antonio Brown: “Well, I don’t like veteran players. I’ll just leave it at that.” Laughs. “We’re going to look at everybody’s availability and what is best for our team.” Said earlier he likes WR draft class.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) February 28, 2019
You know what talented young guy would sure look good lining up at wide receiver for the Raiders? 24-year-old Amari Cooper. Oh… wait…