Tennessee Titans

Report: Jon Gruden could join Titans if Whisenhunt stumbles

Published May. 21, 2015 11:22 p.m. ET

foxsports

Could Jon Gruden return to head coaching with the Tennessee Titans in 2016?

According to one NFL insider, maybe.

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports says the Titans are an option for the Super Bowl-winning coach if current head coach Ken Whisenhunt falters this season.

"Gruden has strong family ties to Tennessee and he was courted heavily by the University of Tennessee a few years back," La Canfora wrote Thursday. "The Titans could end up sold in the next 12 months, and having a rock-star coach would be a great asset to boost the value of the franchise and its media profile, and any new owner might want Gruden anyway."

La Canfora also notes that Gruden is reportedly "highly enamored" with new Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota and that having a QB in place would be a factor in Gruden's return to the sidelines.

While the speculation is interesting, it's important to point out Gruden's name routinely pops up in relation to coaching jobs, but he hasn't actually coached a game since the 2008 season and there's no indication he wants to at this point in his career.

Gruden has worked as a broadcaster with ESPN since 2009. The network announced in December it signed him to a contract extension though 2021.

(h/t CBS)

Photo credit: Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images