Jon Gruden might be happier calling "Monday Night Football" games on ESPN, but he remains a figure of interest in this year's head-coaching derby.
The Philadelphia Eagles have cast a wide net in search of their next coach. One of their former coaches, Dick Vermeil, says it's clear where the Eagles should go.
"My choice would be Jon Gruden," Vermeil told WIP-FM on Tuesday, via Philly.com. "... I just think he's a helluva of football coach, and I don't want him to make the mistake I made, to wait too long to go back. I just think he's a helluva football coach and a great personality."
Much of the talk surrounding Gruden's potential return to the game appears to be chatter coming from his own people. Agent-driven whispers are nothing new, but ESPN's Ron Jaworski is a different story. He said earlier this week that Gruden has taken "numerous meetings" and "told teams he's not interested in certain jobs."
Vermeil believes he knows how to heighten Gruden's interest in the Eagles.
"I'd do more than ask," Vermeil said. "You know what I'd do? I'd get in a bus and take the bank with me."
It's clear Gruden seeks the ideal scenario -- top-tier quarterback, plenty of power, plenty of money -- but most teams looking for coaches can't or won't offer that. For now, Chucky's staying put.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
