Jon Gruden, a veteran of nearly 40 years in football, has a unique perspective on the game. From his early days as a graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee to his time as an NFL head coach and now as an advisor for the Milano Seamen, Gruden has seen football evolve from every angle. Recently, during an appearance on Pardon My Take, the outspoken coach didn’t hold back his disdain for Thursday Night Football, labeling it as detrimental to the game and unfair to the players.
“It’s About More Than Just Football”
Gruden began by highlighting how the tight schedule hampers preparation.
“On a short week, you really don’t get any time to practice,” he explained. “You don’t get a chance to familiarize yourself with the opponent’s blitzes, coverages, stunts, or their strategies in the red zone and on third down. Goal-line and short-yardage plays? Forget it. There’s just no time for the detailed preparation needed for a high-level NFL game.”
He continued by pointing out the physical toll on players, describing Thursday Night Football as grueling and unreasonable.
“These guys are beat up, man,” Gruden said emphatically. “I don’t like seeing players go out there after playing 60-plus snaps on Sunday, then turning around and playing another full game on Thursday. It bothers me.”
Gruden, however, made an exception for Thanksgiving games, which he described as “a wonderful tradition.” But he drew a hard line against the regular Thursday night slate.
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“This Isn’t Baseball or Basketball”
Gruden also made a pointed comparison between football and other major sports, suggesting that the NFL fails to account for the unique demands of its game.
“This is not Major League Baseball, where we can play a doubleheader the next day. It’s not the NBA, where you can play back-to-back games with less physical strain. No disrespect to those sports, but this is football. It’s full-contact, high-intensity, and these guys are really sucking it up to play.”
He criticized the league’s insistence on scheduling Thursday games, especially when teams are required to travel across time zones. “It’s ridiculous to me,” Gruden said. “How would you feel if you’re a top seed, like the Chiefs, and you lose key players to injuries because of these compressed schedules? It’s not fair to the players, the teams, or the fans who want to see the best product on the field.”
“Thursday Night Football Hurts Playoff Teams”
Gruden specifically called attention to how Thursday games could impact playoff-bound teams. He mentioned the Baltimore Ravens, who recently played three games in an 11-day span.
“How is that fair?” he asked. “You’re talking about a team potentially losing key players heading into the playoffs because of this kind of scheduling. The NFL has to take a closer look at this.”
Gruden then drew a parallel with Major League Baseball’s cautious handling of pitchers. “Baseball won’t even let a pitcher throw a complete game because they’re worried about his arm. Meanwhile, the NFL is throwing players into full-contact games with just three days to recover. It’s madness.”
A Dull Product on the Field
The recent Seahawks vs. Bears matchup, which ended in a sluggish 6–3 final score, provided a stark example of what Gruden sees as Thursday Night Football’s flaws.
“Look at that game,” Gruden said. “That’s not football at its best. You’ve got exhausted players, limited game plans, and fans tuning in to see a game that looks like a preseason scrimmage.”
Final Verdict: “I Hate Thursday Football”
Gruden didn’t mince words when summarizing his feelings.
“Does this microphone work? I want to make sure I say this clearly: I hate Thursday football,” he declared. “It’s unfair to the players, it compromises the quality of the game, and it’s a disservice to the fans.”
Gruden’s impassioned critique reflects growing concerns about player safety, game quality, and the league’s priorities. As Thursday Night Football continues to be a lightning rod for criticism, Gruden’s comments add to the chorus of voices calling for change in how the NFL schedules its games.
