Fansided

Jon Gruden is a brilliant hire for the Raiders, and here’s why

By Thomas Wheaton

5 Nov 2001: Jon Gruden head coach of the Oakland Raiders shouts on the sideline in their game versus the Denver Broncos at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 38-28. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Allsport
5 Nov 2001: Jon Gruden head coach of the Oakland Raiders shouts on the sideline in their game versus the Denver Broncos at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 38-28. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Allsport /
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4. The business side of it makes a lot of sense

It is no surprise that the Raiders are doing everything they can to mask the reality that they are leaving the faithful Bay Area fan base for a new one in Las Vegas. It was obvious when they signed Marshawn Lynch last offseason, and it is even more obvious now with bringing in Gruden. Lynch is a symbol of the Oakland lifestyle. He brought his brand and his talent to the bay, and for a little while, it helped cover up the fact that the team is moving.

Signing Gruden accomplishes the same thing from a business perspective. He alone will help sell tickets, fans will want to come to games to see his long-awaited return to coaching. Having a marquee coach acquisition like this will help deflect from the future move and help keep the focus on Oakland for one more season.

At the end of the day, the NFL is a business, plain and simple. Mark Davis is making a great business decision by bringing Gruden back. His hard-nosed no-nonsense mentality fits the Raider image, and as a result, will get fans to buy in one last time. There is clearly more to the signing than this, but it is a nice benefit to the situation.

Undoubtedly, some of the money that Davis will eat after terminating Del Rio will be recovered by bringing Chucky back to Oakland. He will help fill seats, and if all goes well, he will help the team achieve extra revenue from a playoff run. Bringing Gruden in will make money for the Raiders, more so than any other coach would.

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