{"id":802750,"date":"2026-07-15T04:05:37","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T04:05:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/802750\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T04:05:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T04:05:37","slug":"jon-gruden-reportedly-will-do-play-by-play-for-nfl-preseason-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/802750\/","title":{"rendered":"Jon Gruden reportedly will do play-by-play for NFL preseason game"},"content":{"rendered":"

Out-of-nowhere news emerged earlier on Tuesday that former NFL head coach and Monday Night Football color commentator Jon Gruden wants to do play-by-play broadcasting<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As first reported by JoeBucsFan.com,<\/a> Gruden appeared on the Ira Kaufman Podcast and explained his desire to do play-by-play announcing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was a broadcaster for nine years; hell\u2019s bells,\u201d Gruden said on the Ira Kaufman Podcast<\/a>.<\/a> \u201cI 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 \u2014\u00a0 [Mike] Tirico. And I\u2019d like to give that a shot, man.\u201d<\/p>\n

The JoeBucsFan article added, \u201cGruden is not joking about a new broadcast role. Expect a more formal announcement on that front soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Well, a more formal announcement may still be to come, but Tampa Bay Buccaneers reporter Ira Kaufman \u2014 who writes for JoeBucsFan \u2014 added more details in an appearance on Tampa Bay radio\u2019s 95.7 WMAE on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Kaufman told host Rock Riley that Gruden will do play-by-play for a 2026 NFL preseason game in August.<\/p>\n

Breaking News: @IKaufman76<\/a> of @JoeBucsFan<\/a> tells @realrockriley<\/a> on WDAE that Jon Gruden will be doing play-by-play for an NFL preseason game in about a month. Who else is excited about Gruden back on the mic?#WeAreTheKrewe<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/DeiUCG6q7N<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 95.7 WDAE & AM620 (@957WDAE) July 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cRock, because I like you, because I like you, I\u2019m gonna drop a little nugget\u2026 In about a month, Jon Gruden will be doing play-by-play on an NFL game,\u201d Kaufman said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlay-by-play or color analyst?\u201d Riley asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe it\u2019s gonna be play-by-play,\u201d Kaufman responded.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not fooling around about this stuff. He\u2019s not,\u201d Kaufman continued. \u201cHe worked with Tirico, who\u2019s about the best in the business, for nine years\u2026 They\u2019re still best of friends. Best of friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gruden resigned<\/a> from the position of head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 after the revelation of emails that contained racist, misogynistic, and homophobic language<\/a>. He has since been involved in a lengthy legal<\/a> battle<\/a> with Roger Goodell and the NFL.<\/p>\n

As an NFL head coach, Gruden led the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl XXXVII victory in the 2002 season.<\/p>\n

Currently, Gruden is a football analyst for Barstool Sports, and he delivers in-depth, energetic video breakdowns on his YouTube channel<\/a>. He was a Monday Night Football color commentator from 2009 through 2017 for ESPN.<\/p>\n

In May 2025, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy said<\/a>, \u201cI would be stunned if [Gruden is] not an NFL coach at some time again.\u201d<\/p>\n

And in October 2025, Gruden said<\/a>, \u201cWho knows what will happen, but I\u2019m preparing myself as always to coach.\u201d<\/p>\n

WFAN\u2019s Evan Roberts even suggested<\/a> that it\u2019s \u201cobvious\u201d Gruden will be head coach of the New York Jets in 2027.<\/p>\n

But perhaps Gruden, who turns 63 in August, is keeping his options open in case the coaching opportunity never comes. It\u2019s just a surprise that NFL play-by-play is where Gruden\u2019s other focus has seemingly become.<\/p>\n

And if Gruden is indeed set to do NFL play-by-play in August, for what network and\/or for what team? This will be a fascinating story to track in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

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