Jon Gruden denies Jets approached him about joining staff: ‘There was never anything’
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Maybe Jon Gruden wasn’t on the New York Jets roster after all.
A report circulated earlier this week that the Jets reached out to Gruden about joining their staff, but he wasn’t interested.
But in an appearance on WDAE radio, Gruden suggested the report was false.
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Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. (Charles LeClaire/USA Today Sports)
“There are a lot of stupid rumors out there. Some of these reports are ridiculous. Let’s just say there was never anything from the Jets, and I wish them the best in their search for a new offensive coordinator,” Gruden said.
The Jets have turned over almost their entire coaching staff, aside from the head coach. Aaron Glenn has parted ways with numerous assistants after just one year, including his offensive and defensive coordinators.
This season, which ended with a 3-14 record, he became the first team in NFL history without an interception all season. They also lost each of their last five games by at least 23 points, another first in the NFL. It was the third time the Jets lost at least 14 games, also under Rich Kotite and Adam Gase.
Gruden’s coaching days have been in limbo since he parted ways with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 during his third year of a 10-year contract. He left after it was discovered that he had used racist, sexist and homophobic language in his emails.
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden speaks to the media after a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh on September 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
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Gruden sued the NFL after leaving the Raiders, alleging that a “malicious and orchestrated campaign” was used to destroy his career by leaking the emails. The leaked messages were from when he was an ESPN analyst and host of “Monday Night Football.”
Gruden was the beneficiary of a key ruling in his case against the league in August when the Nevada Supreme Court determined his case could proceed in court instead of arbitration. In October, the Nevada Supreme Court unanimously rejected the NFL’s request reconsider that decision.
“I hope I’m not done. I’m about to get back,” Gruden said of training in July. “Hopefully, some of these guys that fell out of my branch, if you put it that way, maybe they can hire me because I’m looking for a job.
“I don’t care if I coach at Jones Junior High. I’m going to get back to coaching. I’m still coaching. I’m just not officially on a team, but I have some private duties that I work on, and I wear some clothes when I watch the games that no one knows about who I’m rooting for.”
Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand and the Jets reportedly parted ways Tuesday after talks about a change in his role. They could not agree on what their role should be, leading to division.
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn instructs the staff while watching the game against the Miami Dolphins in the first half in Miami Gardens, Florida, on September 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
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Three different quarterbacks started for the Jets after Justin Fields He was benched and Tyrod Taylor was injured in his absence, leading to Brady Cook starting at the end of the season.
At the trade deadline, the Jets traded Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams for draft capital. Those trades were with the Indianapolis Colts and dallas cowboyswho missed the playoffs. The picks they got from them (the Colts’ first in 2026 and Dallas’ second in 2026) aren’t too bad. Additionally, the Jets now own the second pick in the draft.
Ryan Gaydos of News and The News contributed to this report.
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