Oakland Raiders In Talks With Jon Gruden?

While it is just Allen’s first year, rumors have already circulated that former head coach and current ESPN analyst Jon Gruden is in discussions with Oakland to take over next season.

Gruden and Oakland have denied the reports, but there is no denying Gruden's success in the NFL.

The 49-year-old coached the Raiders from 1998 to 2001, and one year after leaving for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, captured Super Bowl XXXVII over Oakland. In 11 seasons as a head coach, Gruden went 95-81, and won five divisions crowns.

Allen has been on thin ice since Oakland’s 34-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12. Owner Mark Davis reportedly expressed his dissatisfaction directly to Allen after that game.

"I wouldn't say it was heated; the most heated I got was when we first got on the plane and I told him it's not good enough,'' Davis said to the Contra Costa Times. "And that's what I said. I told him not long after we boarded: 'It's not good enough.' I admit I was pissed off.''

Davis has shown the willingness to make changes as he sees fit, firing Hue Jackson after losing four of their last five games and missing the playoffs last season.

The Raiders aren’t the only ones to wave an offer in front of Gruden, who is known for his passion for football as much as his indecisiveness. Gruden has been linked to many teams in the past, but has enjoyed his time as a color commentator during Monday games, and the extra time he spends with his family.

The University of Tennessee reportedly offered their then-available job to Gruden, and the Cleveland Browns even offered an ownership stake to entice him out of the broadcast booth.

Last month, the Philadelphia Eagles were also a rumored landing spot for Gruden, with current head coach Andy Reid apparently on his way out.