Report: Jon Gruden Denied Tom Brady’s Request to Sign with Raiders

A recent report has shed light on a pivotal moment in NFL history that could have drastically changed the landscape of the league. According to the report, former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden allegedly denied Tom Brady’s request to sign with the Raiders in 2020. This revelation has sparked conversation about what could have been for both Brady and the Raiders, and how Gruden’s decision ultimately set both parties on different paths.

 The Opportunity to Sign Tom Brady

In 2020, after 20 years with the New England Patriots, Tom Brady hit free agency for the first time in his career. It was well known that several teams were interested in acquiring the future Hall of Famer, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team he would eventually join. However, the Raiders were one of the teams in serious consideration to land Brady at the time.

Brady’s decision to leave New England was a massive story, and many NFL teams saw an opportunity to bring in one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. The Raiders, led by Jon Gruden, were reportedly in the running. At the time, the team was still led by quarterback Derek Carr, who had established himself as a solid, though not elite, option under center. Rumors swirled that Brady had a strong interest in the Raiders, with some reports even suggesting that he was ready to make the move if given the chance.

Jon Gruden’s Denial

According to the recent report, Tom Brady made it clear that he was interested in joining the Raiders, but the team’s head coach, Jon Gruden, turned down the idea. Gruden, who had full control over the team’s personnel decisions, apparently wasn’t fully sold on the idea of bringing in Brady. At the time, Gruden was committed to Carr and reportedly believed that Carr could continue to grow into the franchise quarterback the Raiders needed.

This decision is even more significant in hindsight. While Carr was certainly a capable starter, Brady’s proven success and winning mentality could have instantly transformed the Raiders into contenders. Gruden’s decision to pass on Brady was likely influenced by his belief in his system and his preference for quarterbacks who fit his coaching style. It’s no secret that Gruden had a complicated relationship with quarterbacks throughout his coaching career, and this situation was no different.

 What Could Have Been for the Raiders

The decision not to sign Brady changed the trajectory of the Raiders and the NFL as a whole. Brady went on to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leading the team to a Super Bowl victory in his first season in Tampa. Meanwhile, the Raiders continued to battle inconsistency under Carr and Gruden, with Gruden’s tenure eventually coming to a controversial end in 2021 after his resignation amid an investigation into leaked emails.

Had the Raiders signed Brady, it’s possible that they could have been immediate Super Bowl contenders. Brady’s leadership, paired with the Raiders’ offensive weapons, might have been enough to turn the team into an AFC powerhouse. Instead, Brady’s success in Tampa highlighted the missed opportunity for Las Vegas, where they continued to search for answers under center.

Reflection on Gruden’s Decision

Gruden’s denial of Brady’s request to sign is a decision that will be debated for years to come. It was a moment that could have changed the fortunes of the Raiders franchise, potentially leading them back to glory for the first time since their early 2000s success. Instead, the decision reinforced Gruden’s belief in his system and Carr, while Brady went on to add another Super Bowl ring to his collection.

As for Brady, his decision to go to Tampa Bay has only added to his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. The “what if” scenarios will linger, but for now, the Raiders are left to wonder what could have been if they had taken a chance on the greatest player of his generation.

A recent report has shed light on a pivotal moment in NFL history that could have drastically changed the landscape of the league. According to the report, former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden allegedly denied Tom Brady’s request to sign with the Raiders in 2020. This revelation has sparked conversation about what could have been for both Brady and the Raiders, and how Gruden’s decision ultimately set both parties on different paths.

 The Opportunity to Sign Tom Brady

In 2020, after 20 years with the New England Patriots, Tom Brady hit free agency for the first time in his career. It was well known that several teams were interested in acquiring the future Hall of Famer, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team he would eventually join. However, the Raiders were one of the teams in serious consideration to land Brady at the time.

Brady’s decision to leave New England was a massive story, and many NFL teams saw an opportunity to bring in one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. The Raiders, led by Jon Gruden, were reportedly in the running. At the time, the team was still led by quarterback Derek Carr, who had established himself as a solid, though not elite, option under center. Rumors swirled that Brady had a strong interest in the Raiders, with some reports even suggesting that he was ready to make the move if given the chance.

Jon Gruden’s Denial

According to the recent report, Tom Brady made it clear that he was interested in joining the Raiders, but the team’s head coach, Jon Gruden, turned down the idea. Gruden, who had full control over the team’s personnel decisions, apparently wasn’t fully sold on the idea of bringing in Brady. At the time, Gruden was committed to Carr and reportedly believed that Carr could continue to grow into the franchise quarterback the Raiders needed.

This decision is even more significant in hindsight. While Carr was certainly a capable starter, Brady’s proven success and winning mentality could have instantly transformed the Raiders into contenders. Gruden’s decision to pass on Brady was likely influenced by his belief in his system and his preference for quarterbacks who fit his coaching style. It’s no secret that Gruden had a complicated relationship with quarterbacks throughout his coaching career, and this situation was no different.

 What Could Have Been for the Raiders

The decision not to sign Brady changed the trajectory of the Raiders and the NFL as a whole. Brady went on to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leading the team to a Super Bowl victory in his first season in Tampa. Meanwhile, the Raiders continued to battle inconsistency under Carr and Gruden, with Gruden’s tenure eventually coming to a controversial end in 2021 after his resignation amid an investigation into leaked emails.

Had the Raiders signed Brady, it’s possible that they could have been immediate Super Bowl contenders. Brady’s leadership, paired with the Raiders’ offensive weapons, might have been enough to turn the team into an AFC powerhouse. Instead, Brady’s success in Tampa highlighted the missed opportunity for Las Vegas, where they continued to search for answers under center.

 Reflection on Gruden’s Decision

Gruden’s denial of Brady’s request to sign is a decision that will be debated for years to come. It was a moment that could have changed the fortunes of the Raiders franchise, potentially leading them back to glory for the first time since their early 2000s success. Instead, the decision reinforced Gruden’s belief in his system and Carr, while Brady went on to add another Super Bowl ring to his collection.

As for Brady, his decision to go to Tampa Bay has only added to his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. The “what if” scenarios will linger, but for now, the Raiders are left to wonder what could have been if they had taken a chance on the greatest player of his generation.