John Harbaugh Reveals Surprising Insights Jon Gruden Uncovered at OTAs That Could Change the Game

This offseason, the Baltimore Ravens’ OTAs took an intriguing twist with the arrival of none other than Jon Gruden, a coach with two Super Bowl rings and a mind that’s still sharp as ever. John Harbaugh, always eager to soak in fresh perspectives, invited Gruden to watch the team’s practices last Thursday and Friday — and the insights Gruden brought were nothing short of fascinating. Harbaugh shared how Gruden, despite not having access to any playbooks or scripted plans, dissected their squad with the eye of a seasoned strategist, breaking down both defense and offense with meticulous attention. It’s a rare glimpse at how a brilliant football mind operates off the sidelines, especially given Gruden’s hiatus since 2021. Whether he makes a comeback or not, the Ravens stand to gain from his savvy football IQ this season — a story that’s as unexpected as it is compelling. LEARN MORE.

“He loves football, he’s a great football coach, great football mind,” Harbaugh said, via the team’s website. “He studied our team, gave us some insight — players, coaches, schemes, all of it. We didn’t give him the playbook, we didn’t give him a script either. You can only go so far. He studied us. Basically, the message was, ‘If I was game planning against you on defense, what would I do, how would I attack you?’ He didn’t just stop there. He watched our offensive guys. He had something for each player. Very, very detailed.”Gruden has been out of coaching since being resigning from the Raiders in 2021 in the wake of the release of offensive emails, but said earlier this year that he still hopes to return to the sideline. That may not happen, but the Ravens may still benefit from his acumen this season. Former Buccaneers and Raiders head coach Jon Gruden observed the team’s workouts on Thursday and Friday this week. Harbaugh said that Gruden’s outside view provided the team with valuable information.John Harbaugh welcomed another Super Bowl-winning head coach to Ravens OTAs this offseason.