A source close to Gruden says since he has been out of coaching, he has received feelers from a dozen NFL and a dozen college teams. Among the interested have been most of his former employersthe Bucs, Raiders, 49ers and Eagles.
Next December, teams will tempt him again.
"I know it's hard for him," Rothman says.
The force within him is strong. It is what makes him a one-of-a-kind analyst. It is what made him a Super Bowl-winning coach. And it is what pulls him in different directions every day. The force is not easily controlled.
Gruden says flat out he is not trying to stir up a comeback. He never dismisses the possibility, though.
The youngest of the three Gruden boys, Jayson, is a freshman in high school. Dad is a volunteer coach on his football team. When Jayson goes off to college, perhaps the dynamic will change in Gruden's life.
The perfect situation might come alonggreat owner, perfect city, obscene money, total control, the chance to work with the next Peyton Manning.
Maybe the pull will be too powerful for him to resist.
Maybe not.
A chapter has yet to be written in Gruden's life story.
"I just wish I had more time," he says. "I'm fighting that every day. I wish the days were longer. Wish I had longer time on the planet. I'm running out of time."