PITTSBURGH — Nobody saw this coming. Not even the diehard fans in black and gold.
Over the weekend, reports began circulating that Jon Gruden, the former Super Bowl–winning head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and later the Las Vegas Raiders, could be eyeing a shocking return to the NFL — this time in Pittsburgh. And yes, it’s exactly as crazy as it sounds.
The chaos began when an anonymous league insider told NFL Network that Gruden had been “making quiet calls” and “gauging interest” in potential head coaching vacancies for 2025. Almost immediately, the rumor mill went into overdrive — and one team name kept popping up again and again: the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Why Pittsburgh? Because whispers of tension around Mike Tomlin’s future have grown louder in recent weeks following a string of underwhelming performances and locker room frustration. While Tomlin remains one of the most respected figures in football, sources claim ownership has been “evaluating all options” for next season.
Enter Gruden. The man who once turned the Buccaneers into champions, and later the Raiders into a national headline machine — for better or worse. Despite his controversial exit from Las Vegas, insiders close to Gruden say he’s been “itching for redemption” and “wants one last shot to prove himself.”
One executive put it bluntly:
“If there’s one guy crazy enough to take the Steelers job and shake the whole thing up, it’s Jon Gruden.”
Social media erupted almost instantly. Steelers fans are completely divided — some excited about a fiery, old-school leader; others horrified at the thought of replacing Tomlin, the second-winningest coach in franchise history.
As for Gruden? He hasn’t denied the rumors. In a recent radio interview, he smirked and said only:
“You never know where I’ll end up. I love football. I miss the game.”
The statement sent shockwaves through the league — and raised more questions than answers.
Could Jon Gruden actually end up in Pittsburgh? Or is this just another offseason fever dream?
For now, Steelers Nation waits — nervously — as the smoke around this story only grows thicker.
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