Gruden cloud hangs over Raiders after Del Rio firing

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Raiders players took their exit physicals, packed up their lockers and said their goodbyes.

A season that started with Super Bowl expectations ended with coach Jack Del Rio getting fired after a six-win season, sending the team into another offseason of uncertainty.

Already the speculation has turned to Jon Gruden returning to Oakland for a second stint as coach, with ESPN reporting that Gruden is expected to be the team's next coach.

"It's exciting," said linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who called Del Rio a great coach. "You know what he's done in the past. You know that he understands the game of football, both sides, and he has studied the quarterback position inside and out.