Jon Gruden attended the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday (Feb. 28) as one of his first official events as new Oakland Raiders coach. In Indianapolis, Gruden talked to the media, where he tackled different questions, including about the New England Patriots. During the interview, Gruden admitted that he’s envious of the Patriots, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. Gruden said he admired the “The Patriot Way,” where the team finds versatile players who can “adapt on a weekly basis to win a game. It’s just a pleasure to watch them adapt them every year — to the new rules, and to the new men on their roster and coaching staff,” said Gruden.

Gruden praises Belichick, Brady

According to Gruden, the system starts all with head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, but he said the other Patriots people deserve the credit for their success. Since Belichick and Brady arrived in Foxborough in 2000, the Patriots have made it to eight Super Bowls, winning five. In the 2001 playoffs, Gruden, in his first stint as Raiders coach, lost to the Patriots in the infamous Tuck Rule game. The loss ended his stint in Oakland and he spent the next seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before transitioning into a role as an analyst. Gruden decided to return to coaching after the Raiders fired Jack del Rio after they finished the season with a 6-10 mark.

Gruden reportedly signed a ten-year deal worth $100 million to return as Raiders coach.

Gronkowski to return in 2018

Patriots’ All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski is expected to return for the 2018 season after considering retirement, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. According to Rapoport, Gronkowski really pondered about retirement after their 41-33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII.

Rapoport added that Gronkowski also considered moving to the WWE or Hollywood, but ultimately decided to continue his football career with the Patriots.“The expectation is he’s back in a Patriots uniform in 2018,” said Rapoport, per NESN.com. Earlier, the Patriots wanted Gronkowski to inform them of his intention for the coming season so they can decide the fate of fellow tight ends Martellus Bennett and Dwayne Allen.

However, Rapoport said Gronkowski may not officially inform the Patriots about his decision. If he returns, Gronkowski is expected to earn a base salary of $8 million in 2018 and $9 million in 2019, the last season of his deal with the Patriots. Last season, he caught 69 passes for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns.
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