Jon Gruden Calls for End to Thursday Night Football
Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden has joined the growing chorus of football figures advocating for the elimination of Thursday Night Football games, citing concerns about player preparation and recovery time. Speaking on FOX Sports’ “Wake Up Barstool,” Gruden didn’t mince words as he criticized the mid-week NFL fixture that has become a staple of the league’s broadcasting schedule.
“Let’s start with ‘Thursday Night Football,’ man. What a treat it is,” Gruden sarcastically remarked, before launching into his critique. “No preparation, no time to recover, no chance. Get rid of these Thursday night games. Dump them. It’s not fair to the players, it’s not fair to the coaches.” His comments were particularly pointed following the recent low-scoring affair between the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders, which ended in a lackluster 10-7 result. Gruden’s central question resonates with many football purists: “Who goes out and tries to perform at a high level with no preparation?”
The concern over Thursday night games primarily revolves around player safety and the quality of football being played. With most teams coming off Sunday games, players have just three days to physically recover and mentally prepare for their Thursday night matchups—far less than the typical week-long preparation period. This compressed timeline has led many to question whether these games put players at unnecessary risk and deliver an inferior product to fans. The debate highlights the tension between the NFL’s commercial interests and the well-being of its athletes, who are asked to perform at peak physical levels twice in five days.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has previously defended Thursday Night Football, stating in 2023, “I don’t think we’re putting Amazon over our players… The data doesn’t show higher injury rate.” This response acknowledges the lucrative media rights deal with Amazon—an 11-year agreement that began in 2023—while attempting to assuage concerns about player safety. However, Goodell’s assertion about injury rates hasn’t quieted critics like Gruden, who see the compressed schedule as fundamentally unfair regardless of what current injury statistics might show.
Thursday night games have developed a reputation for peculiar outcomes and unusual circumstances. Whether featuring unexpected blowouts, unusually low-scoring affairs, controversial injuries, or challenging weather conditions, these mid-week matchups often generate conversation for reasons beyond the actual competition. Some observers attribute these oddities to the limited preparation time, suggesting that coaching staffs must simplify game plans and players cannot perform at their optimal levels when rushed into competition without adequate recovery and practice.
Despite the criticisms from Gruden and others throughout the football community, Thursday Night Football appears firmly entrenched in the NFL’s future. The league’s long-term commitment to Amazon ensures these games will continue for the foreseeable future, regardless of concerns about player welfare or game quality. This reality reflects the modern NFL’s prioritization of media partnerships and revenue streams, sometimes at the expense of on-field considerations. As players, coaches, and fans continue to express frustration with Thursday night games, the league faces the ongoing challenge of balancing its commercial interests with its responsibility to protect players and deliver the highest quality football experience.
