Raiders: Why the timeline of Jon Gruden pursuit matters

Despite it being widely reported that the Raiders were pursuing Jon Gruden for their head coaching job, neither side had confirmed a mutual interest. That changed Tuesday. Gruden, in an interview with the Bay Area News Group, acknowledged his candidacy for the job that became available Sunday when the Raiders fired coach Jack Del Rio. “Well, I think I am being considered, yes,” Gruden told BANG. “I hope I’m a candidate.” Gruden, whose candidacy was first reported by his current employer ESPN, is still scheduled to call Saturday’s AFC Wild Card game between the Titans and Chiefs as an analyst. He indicated the Raiders could finalize a decision shortly thereafter.