Chucky is back, and he's got a headset instead of a whistle. Jon Gruden hopped into the WFLA broadcast booth for the Buccaneers' preseason game against the Chiefs, his first time calling a game since he walked away from ESPN's Monday Night Football after the 2017 season to go coach the Raiders. That means Gruden hasn't sat behind a microphone through an entire Trump presidency, a pandemic, and a whole coaching stint that ended with him getting fired from Las Vegas. Now he's right back where a lot of people think he always belonged.
Having so much fun being back in the booth with the Hall of Famer Ronde Barber! https://t.co/Yku66Tm42R
The pairing wasn't random. Barber played every single game Gruden coached in Tampa, including the Super Bowl XXXVII run that's still the gold standard for this franchise, and he's spent 14 years doing color commentary on the Bucs' preseason broadcasts. Sticking these two in a booth together for a rematch of Super Bowl LV — the one where Tampa Bay beat Kansas City 31-9 in its own building — is about as full-circle as it gets for a franchise that loves leaning on its history.
Gruden didn't waste any time getting into character. He was pun-slinging from the jump, hyping up a long Chiefs run with a one-word call and needling Harrison Butker's name on a field goal. Then in the third quarter he got the moment every broadcaster wants: a live touchdown throw to call.
Jalon Daniels with a JOLT to Raymond James! Great throw! https://t.co/egvVzq1ZN1
None of it should really surprise anyone who watched him do this for nearly a decade on MNF. Gruden was one of the most polarizing color guys in the sport — some found the constant hype exhausting, plenty of others thought he made every random Thursday night game watchable. Either way, the guy has a genuine gift for turning a preseason snap nobody outside two fanbases cares about into a moment. That's exactly what happened here.
The reaction from Barstool corners was pretty uniformly positive, with people framing his return as a reminder of how much personality has been missing from a lot of modern broadcasts. Fans on the timeline were quick to say it's about time he got back in front of a camera.
LOVE TO FUCKING SEE IT. ABOUT TIME @BarstoolGruden
Gruden wrapped the night celebrating the Bucs' win with everyone at Raymond James, calling it a great night to be back in the booth.
BUCS WIN! What a great night with everyone @Buccaneers!! It was awesome getting back in the booth! https://t.co/oTuM2C7qmu
One preseason broadcast doesn't mean Gruden is angling for a full-time gig — this was a one-off tied to the Bucs' local TV package, not a network hire. But given how well it landed, don't be shocked if this turns into more than a nostalgia rerun.