Jon Gruden is back in the broadcast booth.
The former NFL head coach and "Monday Night Football" analyst became a fan favorite for quirky personality and unapologetic love of football. While Gruden is no longer on the sidelines, he did make a one night cameo appearance in the broadcast booth for a Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Excited to be back in the booth tonight!
— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) August 22, 2026
Let’s go Bucs!! ❤️🏈 pic.twitter.com/szxS8DLXBQ
Gruden was cast as the play-by-play announcer alongside Bucs' legend Ronde Barber, which represented a departure from his traditional role as an analyst.
For the first time since 2018, Jon Gruden is calling an NFL game. pic.twitter.com/Tl5Y2oFAcg
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 23, 2026
It marked Gruden's first game on the mic since Jan. 6, 2018, when the Tennessee Titans defeated the Chiefs in the wild-card round.
After that game, the broadcaster would exchange the mic for a spot back on the then-Oakland Raiders sideline as the team's head coach. Gruden eventually resigned from his post in 2021 after some disparaging emails he wrote came to light. During that time, he was also removed from the Buccaneers' Ring of Honor. He has since been reinstated.
Gruden, who now works for Barstool Sports, is in the midst of a lawsuit against the NFL, alleging that the league deliberately leaked the emails he wrote.
Despite the legal matter, Gruden returned to the booth – something that was met with praise on social media.
He didn't operate like a traditional play-by-play announcer, but rather participated in what became a casual, game-long conversation with Barber. It was part of a plan that he explained during an appearance on "The Ronde Barber Show" ahead of the game.
“This might be a concept; you never know,” Gruden said. “This concept could be a game-changer in the broadcast booth.
“I mean, there’s been a conventional way, I sat up there for nine years and did it. Mike Tirico, there was a cadence. ‘First-and-10, it’s da-ta-da-ta-da-ta-da,’ and then you have to be timely in your responses and get out before the next play. But I think as long as we’re on the same page, we love Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We’re going to try to really educate the fans on some of the position battles, just the excitement of opening day in our stadium.”
So how did he do? You be the judge.
Jon Gruden broadcast highlightsGruden was active on social media during the game, sharing highlights of the action throughout.
That’s LENGTH! pic.twitter.com/NmMSSC72oj
— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) August 23, 2026
Prior to halftime, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker nailed a 69-yard field goal – a kick that would've been an NFL record. Gruden was ready for the moment.
"He'll kick your Butker," he said.
“He’ll kick your Butker!”
— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) August 23, 2026
69 Yarder from the Chiefs kicker!! pic.twitter.com/mC6NEeKmlU
Then in the third quarter, Jalon Daniels gave the home crowd something to cheer about with a touchdown pass to Ko Kieft for the lead.
Jalon Daniels with a JOLT to Raymond James!
— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) August 23, 2026
Great throw! pic.twitter.com/egvVzq1ZN1
Later on, it was Sean Tucker that gave the home side the lead for good.
Sean Tucker puts the Bucs out front!
— NFL (@NFL) August 23, 2026
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/svBG5qYzZ3
Tampa went on to win 16-15 in Gruden's return to the booth, something that was cause for celebration for the team's former coach.
BUCS WIN!
— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) August 23, 2026
What a great night with everyone @Buccaneers!! It was awesome getting back in the booth! pic.twitter.com/oTuM2C7qmu
It's unclear whether Gruden will get another chance in the future to return to broadcasting. He hasn't been shy about having a desire to get back into coaching at some point. Earlier this offseason, Gruden expressed that he is worried about the state of quarterback development and explained he thinks the game is "dissolving" rather than evolving.
If nothing else, Gruden's love for the sport remains on full display.
Now it's just a question of if he'll have to continue expressing it from the outside.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jon Gruden returns to broadcast booth for Bucs preseason game