It looks like Tennessee may have some competition if it does try to hire Jon Gruden.

The Volunteers are looking for a new head coach after officially parting ways with Butch Jones on Sunday. Gruden appears to be a potential candidate and has been tied to many rumors involving Tennessee.

Multiple reports have even surfaced that Gruden has reached out to former Tennessee players and coaches about the possibility of joining his staff should he return to Knoxville. There is still a decent amount of speculation about whether or not Gruden would ever want to return to coach at the collegiate level, but he has reportedly said in the past that Tennessee is one college job he would consider.

Tennessee may be after Gruden, but the Vols could have some stiff competition from an NFL team for acquiring his services.

Michael David Smith with Pro Football Talk shared comments made by longtime Tampa reporter Ira Kaufman, and Kaufman said he is beginning to believe Gruden could return to coach the Buccaneers. His comments were made on PFT Live:

“I think (Dirk) Koetter’s got seven weeks to prove that this team is still buying what he’s selling,” Kaufman said. “The stands are half empty, and there’s a guy out there that has a lot of juice and can fill those stands. . . . I’m starting to believe it for the first time, that Gruden’s coming back.”

Gruden spent seven seasons with Tampa Bay and coached the Buccaneers to a win in Super Bowl XXXVII.

It will be interesting to watch where Gruden winds up.