Jon Gruden was once regarded as one of the top offensive minds in the NFL, known for creatively using a mix of running backs and fullbacks in the passing game. It was through this strategy that he led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl title in 2002, in a game famously known as the “Gruden Bowl.”
While Gruden isn’t coaching regularly now, he isn’t a fan of the direction the league’s passing game has taken, especially with Run-Pass Options and bubble screens becoming more common.
Jon Gruden on the NFL’s Current Passing Game
Gruden expressed his frustration with the state of the modern passing game during an appearance on the Fitz & Whit show on Tuesday. The former Buccaneers coach made it clear he isn’t a fan of quick screens, calling them a watered-down version of what used to be a more aggressive passing attack with deeper throws.
“I don’t like the trajectory of the NFL’s passing game. I don’t like watching these bubble screens, these RPOs. I really—I collect the vomit bags on airplanes so I can throw up into them when I have to watch it.”
“You know, my idea of beating a blitz is recognizing the blitz, communicating the audible, flashing a hand signal, and seeing a wideout shred that corner. But a lot of teams’ only answer, as you know, is throwing a quick screen. And it is a simplified, muddled-down version of what used to be a passing game.”
Longtime NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who played 17 seasons in the league, agreed with Gruden. Fitzpatrick has also expressed concerns about pass interference rules.
“My biggest concern is pass interference in pro football. I would make it the college rule, honestly, because some of these pass interference calls are impacting the game—just one play there,” he said on the Pardon My Take podcast last year.
“I don’t think there’s a common thread in what is and what isn’t pass interference. I think this crew calls it a little different from that crew. That is a penalty right now that, I think, has taken over a lot of these games.”
“Jerry Austin taught me that pass interference should call itself. We should all be sitting in a bar in Chicago and go, ‘That’s PI.’ It should be a common, obvious pass interference. Otherwise, let these guys play. That’s my feeling.”
Gruden’s passing game was widely considered aggressive and sometimes controversial. The Super Bowl-winning coach has been vocal about calling passing plays on first down from the 1-yard line. He is currently working with Barstool Sports and has appeared on multiple shows, including The Pro Football Football Show and The Yak. However, he has made it clear that he wants one more chance to coach in the NFL.