The Las Vegas Raiders are in a long-term relationship with head coach Jon Gruden.
Gruden signed a massive ten-year $100 million deal back before the 2018 season.
Raiders are giving new head coach Jon Gruden a 10-year contract, the longest coaching deal in NFL history, sources tell ESPN. The deal is likely to be worth about $100 million.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 5, 2018
He is entering his fourth year under the contract.
Could Gruden get fired before the contract expires?
If so, what would it take for the Raiders to fire Gruden?
Every head coach in the NFL is on the chopping block if the team does not perform, and Gruden is no exception.
He could definitely be fired sooner rather than later, maybe as early as this season if oddsmakers are correct.
Who will be the first head coach fired in the NFL next season? (BetOnline)
Mike McCarthy +750
Vic Fangio +800
Matt Nagy +850
Jon Gruden +1000
Mike Zimmer +1100
Zac Taylor +1200
Kliff Kingsbury +1200
David Culley +1600
Matt Rhule +1600
Mike Vrabel +1600
Matt LaFleur +2000 pic.twitter.com/DA7TT5H7vY— On Top of the Line Sports OTLSPORTS.COM (@OTLSPORTS) June 15, 2021
Here are three situations that could lead to the firing of Coach Gruden.
3. Another Losing Season
Gruden has not brought winning ways to the Raiders since his return in 2018.
His win-loss record is 19-29.
Broken down by season, it does not look any better.
In 2018, the Raiders were 4-12.
During the 2019 season, the team went 7-9.
This past season saw an ever so slight improvement to .500 with an 8-8 record.
If Al Davis were alive and in control of the Raiders, Gruden likely would be gone already.
The Raiders are now run by Davis’s son, Mark, who has to be growing impatient also.
A fourth consecutive .500 or below season could signal the end of Gruden’s tenure in Las Vegas.
2. Fading In The Second Half Of The Season
The Raiders start the season well, but they seem to fade in the midpoint.
In 2019, they were 6-4 before dropping five of the last six games of the season.
2020 seemed to follow the same pattern.
The Raiders jumped out to a 6-3 record and then lost five of the last seven games of the season.
It is not clear if it is a question of discipline, strength and conditioning, or what the problem might be.
Regardless, the head coach needs to problem solve the situation and is ultimately accountable for it.
One more season of this could lead to Gruden being axed in Las Vegas.
1. Missing The Playoffs Again
The Raiders have not been in the playoffs any of Gruden’s three seasons.
Generally speaking, not getting in the playoffs directly leads to a coach being fired.
Gruden is among the select few who still has his job.
Coaches who missed playoffs all three seasons from 2018-20:
Adam Gase, fired
Matt Patricia, fired
Dan Quinn, fired
Doug Marrone, fired
Jon Gruden, entering year 4 of 10-year contract with #Raiders— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) May 18, 2021
It seems unlikely that Gruden will keep his job in 2022 if the Raiders do not make it to the postseason in 2021.
Conclusion
The Raiders have been far removed from the playoff conversation or from being competitive during a 16 game regular season.
There has to be concerns about what impact the additional 17th regular-season game will have on a team that has a reputation for fading.
Gruden was likely given a pass for the 2018 miserable 4-12 record because he inherited the team and did not have an opportunity to make his mark on it.
Three years later, Gruden has been given ample time to turn around the Raiders.
If the Raiders do not have a measurable improvement in 2021, Gruden will be fired.
NEXT: 3 Reasons Raiders Fans Should Want Derek Carr In Las Vegas
Dean Hamilton says
If the Raiders fail to have a winning record or make the playoffs this year, Gruden should be fired, along with GM Mayock. With so many first round draft picks over the past couple of years (and questionable picks), and all the cap money after the 2018 season, they have produced few stars and a losing record, and have basically ignored the defense, and for the most part failed in free agency. Maybe both of those guys should have stayed put in the broadcast booth. With Gruden, you can’t win Super Bowls based on nostalgia.
Mark Davis needs to make smart decisions going forward.
Paul M. says
Update 10/11/21: He didn’t need to be fired; he just resigned because they all “just found out” he’s racist.