Getty Image
Over the course of his NFL coaching career, Jon Gruden has managed to rack up 104 wins, which would be a pretty impressive achievement if he hadn’t also lost 97 of them.
One of those wins was a Super Bowl victory with the Tampa Bay Buccanneers, which was the peak of his stint with the team. He was eventually fired after seven seasons before pivoting to broadcasting until the Oakland Raiders took a look at every single option in the world and decided Gruden was the best person to helm their team.
Gruden kicked off his tenure with a bang when he made an ill-advised draft pick and then decided to trade Khalil Mack, who would go on to have a season that everyone not named “Jon Gruden” saw coming.
Oh. He also signed Nathan Peterman because of course he did.
At least we got this video out of the season.
https://youtu.be/ppkenVbHpiA
Thanks in no small part to Gruden’s efforts, the Raiders finished the year with a 4-12 record that resulted in the firing of former GM Reggie McKenzie, who was replaced by Mike Mayock.
Based on the results of last year, it’s clear that Gruden should be allowed to make approximately zero personnel decisions. However, according to a report by ESPN, Mayock apparently doesn’t know that those who don’t study history are doomed to repeat it.
Here’s what he had to say when asked about how he’s planning to work with the coach:
“In all honesty, Jon’s got final say, if it ever comes to that, and I’ve got zero problems with that…
“Now, having said that, I think we’re going to come to a consensus, and I like a little yelling, a little screaming, a little fighting for what players you believe in. But at the end of the day, I guarantee you, Jon Gruden and I are going to know what a Raider looks like and smells like. I don’t think we’re going to have any issues.”
I guess Gruden and Mayock know exactly what a dumpster fire smells like.
[Deadspin]