Jon Gruden is stepping back into the booth for a Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason game next month. He’ll join Ronde Barber to call Tampa Bay’s August 22 preseason game against the Chiefs. Speaking on his podcast, Barber revealed how the concept came about and what he expects from the experience.
What We Know: Gruden spent nine years as ESPN’s Monday Night Football analyst before exiting after the 2017 season. Since his final NFL head coaching job, he has rebranded online with Barstool Sports. As a result, the Buccaneers turned to him after a scheduling conflict sidelined longtime play-by-play voice Chris Myers for this one game. Moreover, Myers will call Tampa Bay’s two road preseason broadcasts. However, Barber said on his Ronde Barber Show that the concept was his idea, and is hoping the product will be something different.
What They Said: (All quotes via The Ronde Barber Show)
Ronde Barber on suggestion Jon Gruden to fill in for Chris Myers on a Buccaneers pre-season game: “I said I wanted to do something different. No disrespect to the traditional play-by-play guys out there, I wanted to do something different. I had a couple of options, and I ended up [with] me and Jon Gruden will be calling a game week two of the Buccaneers preseason with Kansas City at home. Jon and I will be sharing the booth.”
Ronde Barber on what he hopes the broadcast with Gruden will be like: “The logistics of which I’m not really at liberty to say. But it will not, and I’m hoping it’s not going to be a traditional play-by-play color type of situation. It’ll be unique to us and it’ll be a whole a whole lot of fun.”
Ronde Barber on Jon Gruden: “He has unique energy. He obviously has experience in the booth. Nine years at ESPN. I just had this inkling that give the fans what they want. Jon is on a heater right now with everything that he’s doing in terms of his presence online. I can’t wait to be sitting next to him calling a football game. It’s gonna be awesome.”
What Remains Unclear: Barber has said the setup won’t follow a traditional play-by-play format, though he hasn’t detailed how duties will split. The Buccaneers have not stated if the broadcast will be a one-off or the beginning of building for the future.
What It Means: This is a unique way to take a scheduling conflict and add a special element to a pre-season game that tends to mean little on the field. With alt-casts becoming more the norm, this is a smart play for the Buccaneers to pit two of the franchise’s most recognizable names in this type of setting. This pairing also marks a symbolic step in Gruden’s public rehabilitation since his 2021 Raiders resignation. Tampa Bay reinstated him to its Ring of Honor last year, and now hands him a microphone. For Barber, it’s a chance to swap routine for something more personal and unscripted. Ultimately, the broadcast doubles as nostalgia and a test run for Gruden’s potential next chapter.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.