Kansas City Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy is set to have yet another very busy bye week.
After interviewing for seven head coaching jobs over the past two coaching cycles, Bieniemy is getting more chances to interview. He is currently being considered by multiple teams with head coaching vacancies following the conclusion of Week 17. His first interview is with the Atlanta Falcons and is set to place today, but now other teams have begun to formally request interviews with Bieniemy.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Detroit Lions have requested an interview. They are the second NFC franchise to request an interview, a conference that should have a lot of appeal to Bieniemy so he doesn’t have to face his former team and quarterback as often.
The #Lions coaching search is off and running, as they have requested interviews with: #49ers DC Robert Saleh, #Saints AHC/TE coach Dan Campbell, #Titans OC Arthur Smith, and #Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 4, 2021
The Lions parted ways with HC Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn after an abysmal 13-29-1 record during Patricia’s tenure with the team. They’ll be an appealing job because they already have a great quarterback in place in Matthew Stafford, they just need some help from coaches and the front office to get that team right.
In addition to Detroit, a team that has already interviewed Bieniemy is requesting another interview. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the New York Jets have requested an interview. The Jets previously interviewed Bieniemy during the 2018-19 postseason, but instead of hiring Bieniemy, they chose to go with Adam Gase for their head coaching vacancy. Gase was fired after a 9-23 record over his two seasons in New York.
And now the Jets officially requested Chiefs' OC Eric Bieniemy for their HC job as well, per source. https://t.co/mcBM2SdhQ5
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 4, 2021
The Jets have a lot of appeal for a head coach as they have the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. They have some stars on the defensive side of the ball including Quinnen Williams and Marcus Maye. They also have a franchise left tackle in Mehki Becton. All they need to figure out is the quarterback position moving forward.
Bieniemy is also expected to garner interviews with the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars eventually, but formal requests haven’t yet been submitted. We’ll keep you updated on the very latest as the Chiefs’ OC continues to get opportunities throughout this process.
Update: The Chargers, who fired HC Anthony Lynn on Monday, have become the fourth team to request an interview with Bieniemy. They’ll be a strong candidate based on his connections to the Los Angeles area.
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