Jon Gruden mocked for wild NFL play calls that felt like 40-page essays to players

Jon Gruden’s offensive strategy has drawn attention again, this time for being extremely detailed. A post on X (formerly Twitter) describes his play calls as “like 40‑page essays.

” That’s a strong image and sparks debate about modern NFL coaching. Here’s what we know fact‑by‑fact.

Jon Gruden’s essay‑length play calls baffled players and analysts

A fan post on X from account MLFootball compared former NFL coach Jon Gruden’s offensive instructions to novel‑length essays. The user called them “INSANE,” emphasizing complex wording and layers of detail.

The moment has gone viral, with many former players revealing that Gruden’s plays often felt like reading pages of a novel.

Former quarterback Chris Simms once described them as so long that players would panic before finishing them. Fans on X compared his calls to writing essays or studying a textbook, pointing out how difficult it must have been to remember such complex instructions during fast-paced games.Gruden coached teams like the Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Las Vegas Raiders from 1998 through 2021 . Known for deep preparation, his methods clearly left a strong impression, even after his departure.

Jon Gruden’s method highlights the challenge of NFL play calling

NFL play calls can often include everything from formations and protection schemes to routes and player-specific instructions. Jon Gruden’s coaching style leaned heavily on being exact, leaving no detail out. Also Read: Jon Gruden Reveals The Real Reason Dallas Cowboys Defense Collapsed After Dan Quinn LeftWhile this helped ensure everyone knew their roles, many believe it also caused delays and confusion. Modern coaches are now shifting towards shorter and simpler calls to match the faster tempo of the current NFL. However, Gruden’s style remains a classic example of how much detail some coaches demand. With the clip now trending across social media platforms, fans and analysts are once again debating whether such detailed instructions help or hurt players during live action.