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The Bucs welcomed one of the most prominent figures of the team’s history to Thursday’s training camp practice.

Jon Gruden, the franchise’s all-time winningest head coach who guided the team to its first Super Bowl, was at the team’s facility and took time to address the media in the morning.

After spending his post-Tampa career covering Monday Night Football games as an ESPN color analyst from 2009-2018, Gruden will be returning to the booth to be the play-by-play announcer for the Bucs’ second preseason game, which will be at home against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, August 22nd on WFLA News Channel 8.

Gruden will return to the booth alongside color analyst Rondé Barber, whom he coached from 2002-08. He also offered an enthusiastic endorsement of quarterback Baker Mayfield, offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and Tampa Bay’s revamped roster.

Jon Gruden Thanks Bucs, Looks Forward To Reuniting With Rondé Barber

The news of Jon Gruden getting back in the booth to call a Bucs game is a full-circle moment for “Chucky.”

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and former Bucs head coach Jon Gruden – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Gruden has always found a way back to Tampa Bay football since his dad Jim worked for the team as director of player personnel and a running backs coach in the early 1980s. A historic trade brought him back to the city in the early 2000s, and he has since been re-inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor and was featured in the Raise The Flags docuseries in the 2020s.

With the two longest stops of his professional career being his Bucs head coaching tenure and calling games for ESPN, the opportunity to call a game for the team is something he is grateful for.

“I’d just like to say thanks to the Buccaneers for letting me back in the booth and back in the stadium,” Gruden said in his opening statement. “I’m fired up. We got a great, young team here. We’ve added some players, and to be up there with Rondé Barber for three and a half hours, God knows what’s going to happen. We’re going to have fun; we’re going to celebrate the Bucs and hopefully kick off what’s going to be a real special season.”

Gruden continues to live and breathe football, remaining immersed in the game. He reflected on what the first stint of his broadcasting career meant to him.

Former Bucs head coach Jon Gruden – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I had a lot of fun doing it for nine years,” Gruden said. “I was very fortunate on Monday Night Football, especially the years with [Mike] Tirico — we had a lot of fun. We took every game like it was the Super Bowl. We took it very seriously, had a lot of fun. I enjoy the profession and at this point in my life, I still study football all the time. I’m still a big fan of the Bucs; I live right down the street, so I’m really excited about it.”

What Does Jon Gruden Think Of Baker Mayfield And The 2026 Bucs?

Jon Gruden refused to talk about the contract drama that the Bucs find themselves in with Baker Mayfield and Vita Vea. Gruden did share his thoughts about Mayfield, someone who he has long held in high regard.

While Gruden does not consider himself an offensive guru, he also discussed how hiring Zac Robinson changes the system around Mayfield.

“I’m not a guru; I’ve been fired quite a bit,” Gruden joked. “Robinson, he comes off that McVay tree, Sean was here with us in Tampa as you know. You watch him, you see a lot of 12 personnel, two tight ends… I see a lot of shotgun operation, pistol formation. I know Kirk Cousins well, I’ve learned a little bit about their system when he was in Atlanta.

“I know the terminology is similar to what they had here with Liam [Coen], and I’m sure that’s helpful to the veteran players. Everybody’s got to put their own spin on things… I’m confident that Zac will do a great job.”

He is the second former Bucs head coach to endorse Robinson after Bruce Arians did on the Pewter Report Podcast earlier this summer. Tampa Bay’s newest play-caller does have the challenge of building the passing game around someone not named Mike Evans.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and OC Zac Robinson – Photo by Cliff Welch P/R

As Gruden sees it, it could become a committee of sorts.

“That’s a challenge,” Gruden admitted. “Mike wasn’t good, he was great. There’s a big difference between good and great. What he did here was — no one’s ever going to do. I mean, 11 straight years. I was here; [Joey] Galloway did it three straight years, and he broke a Buccaneer record. Most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. This guy did it 11 times. He did it on the backside of trips, they isolated him. He won. 27 contested touchdowns in the last few years, I got him on a reel.

“They put him in the slot, he showcased quickness. I hated seeing him leave. You won’t replace him, but somebody’s got to step in those shoes, and they might do it by committee. I’m excited to see this [Ted] Hurst kid. 6-4, runs 4.4. [Jalen] McMillan, when healthy, he’s a hell of a player man. I like this Tez Johnson guy, he’s interesting. You don’t replace anybody like Mike, that’s a once-in-a-lifetime player.”

With the 2026 NFL season rapidly approaching, Gruden believes that the Bucs have enough pieces on both sides of the football to beat anybody. Citing improved depth, a rebuilt front seven and confidence in the offense under Robinson, Gruden believes the team has more than enough talent.

Bucs Ring of Honor head coach Jon Gruden – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“When healthy, I think from top to bottom they can beat anybody. They’ve proven that. I think that’s number one, they got a lot of talent. They’ve got some depth now because a lot of kids got to play last year. I think that’s big. I think secondly, the front seven on defense has been rebuilt for a good reason. I think the linebacking core, some added pass rushers, some girth inside, I can’t wait to see that.

“Then the transition from coordinator to coordinator, I don’t know how Mayfield has done this… I’m anxious to see the Robinson spin on things and the ball distribution has always been a big part of the Bucs’ success. Let’s hope Bucky’s healthy and some of these young receivers emerge.”

In just over two weeks, Jon Gruden will be calling the action instead of calling plays.

When Gruden returns to Raymond James Stadium, he will bring the same energy, football IQ and unfiltered analysis that continue to make him one of the most recognizable voices covering the NFL.