ESPN is happy to get a stronger slate of Monday Night Football games, particularly Jon Gruden's Raiders return

The Athletic

ESPN and the NFL are in the midst of a strained relationship. But the 2018 schedule released Thursday was satisfying to ESPN. The first night of Monday Night Football will include former MNF analyst Gruden in his first regular season game as the new head coach of the Oakland Raiders. ALSO: Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran had a big impact on NFL scheduling.