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Jon Gruden has coached Hall of Famers, developed elite offenses, and spent decades around some of the NFL's biggest stars. Even so, one unrealized opportunity still stands out.
Speaking with Pittsburgh Steelers veteran Cameron Heyward on his "Not Just Football with Cam Heyward" podcast, Gruden admitted that his failed attempt to coach former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown remains "one of my biggest regrets."
The Raiders acquired Brown from Pittsburgh in 2019, believing the four-time All-Pro could transform Gruden's offense. Instead, Brown never appeared in a regular-season game for the then-Oakland Raiders after a turbulent offseason filled with off-field distractions.
Looking back, Gruden said he remains convinced the move could have paid off.
"The two or three OTAs that we had him on the field, Cam, and he was running our routes, running my stuff," Gruden said. "I went home one night, opened a bottle of Asti Spumante and drank it all. I thought we were going to complete every pass."
Gruden was blown away by Brown's precision as a route runner.
"Holy s**t, I mean, this guy's running my routes better than they've ever been run before," he said.
Despite the issues that ultimately derailed the partnership, Gruden said his belief in Brown never wavered.
"I just knew he could be spectacular in our offense," Gruden said. "But what a disappointment for me."
The veteran coach acknowledged there were warning signs, saying Brown "was I think distracted by other things," but that didn't diminish his desire to make the partnership work.
Reflecting on the experience, Gruden reiterated how much the missed opportunity still lingers.
"It's one of my biggest regrets, honestly, in my career that that didn't work out," he said before later adding, "It's one of my biggest regrets, of never getting to coach him."
For Steelers fans, Brown's career will always be remembered for both extraordinary production and an abrupt ending in Pittsburgh. Gruden's comments offer another perspective, revealing just how highly one veteran coach regarded Brown's talent, and how deeply he still regrets never getting the chance to see it on Sundays.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Jon Gruden names Antonio Brown among biggest coaching regrets
Continue reading...
Speaking with Pittsburgh Steelers veteran Cameron Heyward on his "Not Just Football with Cam Heyward" podcast, Gruden admitted that his failed attempt to coach former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown remains "one of my biggest regrets."
The Raiders acquired Brown from Pittsburgh in 2019, believing the four-time All-Pro could transform Gruden's offense. Instead, Brown never appeared in a regular-season game for the then-Oakland Raiders after a turbulent offseason filled with off-field distractions.
Looking back, Gruden said he remains convinced the move could have paid off.
"The two or three OTAs that we had him on the field, Cam, and he was running our routes, running my stuff," Gruden said. "I went home one night, opened a bottle of Asti Spumante and drank it all. I thought we were going to complete every pass."
Gruden was blown away by Brown's precision as a route runner.
"Holy s**t, I mean, this guy's running my routes better than they've ever been run before," he said.
Despite the issues that ultimately derailed the partnership, Gruden said his belief in Brown never wavered.
"I just knew he could be spectacular in our offense," Gruden said. "But what a disappointment for me."
The veteran coach acknowledged there were warning signs, saying Brown "was I think distracted by other things," but that didn't diminish his desire to make the partnership work.
Reflecting on the experience, Gruden reiterated how much the missed opportunity still lingers.
"It's one of my biggest regrets, honestly, in my career that that didn't work out," he said before later adding, "It's one of my biggest regrets, of never getting to coach him."
For Steelers fans, Brown's career will always be remembered for both extraordinary production and an abrupt ending in Pittsburgh. Gruden's comments offer another perspective, revealing just how highly one veteran coach regarded Brown's talent, and how deeply he still regrets never getting the chance to see it on Sundays.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Jon Gruden names Antonio Brown among biggest coaching regrets
Continue reading...
