Steve Marcus / Associated Press
An NFL general manager accused Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden of “blatant tampering” after an interview Gruden gave to Cris Collinsworth and Richard Sherman, according to ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio.
Gruden was a guest on the Collinsworth podcast, which also features Sherman. Although Collinsworth mentioned the NFL’s tampering rules, Gruden couldn’t help making an attempt at the three-time All-Pro cornerback (via Florio):
“Yes, I was. I was fined, I was punished very, very harshly. Richard Sherman, if you are a free agent, which is a rumor that you are, we are looking for an alpha presence in our secondary. Someone who could play this technique of 3 pressures from the Hawk with the reading step. If you are available and interested, maybe you and I can meet at some point off the air. “
In recent months, Gruden wore an “Oakland” Raiders hat and struggled to follow the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols regarding facial masks on the sideline. Your situational awareness has not been optimal.
Florio noted that it would be difficult for the NFL not to determine that he violated the rules of violation.
Sherman’s three-year, $ 27.2 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers is expiring. Until the year 2021 of the NFL league begins on March 17, Sherman is still officially a member of the 49ers.
Depending on how seriously the NFL takes the issue, Gruden and the Raiders may be facing significant punishment.
The league imposed a $ 100,000 fine on the New York Jets in 2015 based on comments by team owner Woody Johnson about Darrelle Revis. The Kansas City Chiefs lost a choice in the third round in 2016 and a choice in the sixth round in 2017 after an adulteration investigation centered on Jeremy Maclin. Coach Andy Reid ($ 75,000) and then general manager John Dorsey ($ 25,000) were also fined.
Raiders allowed 263.3 passing yards per game, the seventh longest in the NFL. Assuming he doesn’t return to San Francisco, Sherman would be a logical free agent to strengthen the secondary.
However, Gruden needs to exercise more discretion over veterans who may be on the Las Vegas radar.