Jon Gruden Predicts Super Bowl Winner Before NFL Season Without Hesitation

Aug 11, 2025 11:40 PM EDT

The NFL season is still a few weeks away, but with training camp in full swing and the preseason already through one week, anticipation for football’s return is palpable. And there may not be anyone more fired up than former Super Bowl–winning head coach Jon Gruden.

Since departing from coaching in 2021, Gruden has found a home at Barstool Sports, staying well-connected and highly involved in football at both the professional and collegiate levels.

In a recent interview with Peighton Tubre, Gruden participated in a rapid-fire Q&A. When asked for his “sleeper” team for the 2025 NFL season, he didn’t just give a name—he flat-out predicted that team would win the Super Bowl.

Jon Gruden Predicts Super Bowl LX Winner

That team? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers—the same franchise he led to its first Lombardi Trophy in 2003.

“Sleeper team for this year,” Gruden was asked.

Without hesitation, he replied, “Tampa Bay Buccaneers are gonna win the Super Bowl.”

Commanding the Buccaneers’ offense for a third straight season is former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield. While Tampa Bay has remained competitive in the NFC and dominated the NFC South in recent years, they have often fallen short when it comes to delivering in the playoffs.

However, with Mayfield coming off a career year, Mike Evans entering his 12th season, and the continued progression of running back Bucky Irving in his second year—along with rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka out of Ohio State, who has taken training camp by storm—the Bucs have a real chance to be a force once again in a winnable division after finishing 10-7 last season.