Jon Gruden returns to broadcast booth for Buccaneers preseason game

TAMPA, Fla. (WINK)— Jon Gruden will return to the broadcast booth later this month for Tampa Bay's preseason game against the Chiefs.

The former Buccaneers Super Bowl-winning head coach will join Hall of Famer Ronde Barber for the broadcast. This marks Gruden's first NFL television broadcast since his nine-year run on Monday Night Football ended in 2017.

When the Buccaneers asked Gruden to come back to the broadcast booth, the answer didn't take long.

"I was fired up. I had a lot of fun doing it for nine years. I still study football all the time. I'm still a big fan of the Bucs. I live right down the street, so I'm really excited about it," Gruden said.

Gruden says what he missed most wasn't just talking football but the people around the game.

"We had a great team. I miss that team, that camaraderie, and I really didn't miss having to go home after a loss. You know, it's not like we lost any games, but we had a lot of fun, and I got to learn a lot and see a lot, and I think it helped see the big picture," Gruden said.

In many ways, Gruden says this return feels full circle. Long before he led the team to a Lombardi Trophy, he was a kid around the organization. 

"I grew up with the Buccaneers. My dad coached here. You know, Doug Williams was the guy I used to play catch with. I used to throw drills here. I almost got James Wilder killed twice with some of the throws I made," Gruden said.

Gruden says he won't take himself too seriously when he returns to the booth. He says Barber will be the star of the show and he's just excited to talk Buccaneers football again.