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Kansas City Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy has received another interview request for a head-coaching position.
As first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the New Orleans Saints have requested an interview with Bieniemy for their head-coaching vacancy. Longtime Saints HC Sean Payton stepped away from the game following the 2021 NFL season, leaving a vacancy at the position for the first time since 2005.
In total over the past four coaching cycles (including 2022), Bieniemy was interviewed by 14 teams for head-coaching jobs (Broncos, Texans, Eagles, Jaguars, Falcons, Jets (twice), Chargers, Lions, Browns, Giants, Panthers, Bengals, Buccaneers, Dolphins). This will mark the 15th team to interview the highly-touted offensive coordinator for a head-coaching vacancy.
The Saints want to speak with Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy for the head coaching job, per sources. An interview could take place Saturday.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 3, 2022
According to Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson, Bieniemy’s candidacy to replace Payton in New Orleans is expected to see strong support from around the league. This is also to be expected given Brian Flores’ recent lawsuit brought against the NFL claiming discrimination in the league’s hiring practices.
Saints have requested Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy for an interview, according to a league source. His candidacy is expected to receive strong support in league circles, including the NFL office @PFN365
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) February 4, 2022
Bieniemy’s resume speaks for itself, though. He’s long been heralded as a leader of men by his fellow coaches and players in Kansas City. The Chiefs’ offense under Bieniemy has ranked in the top 10 in each of his four seasons as offensive coordinator. Never mind the work he’s done to help develop Patrick Mahomes into one of the best young quarterbacks in the league.
Andy Reid is sure to be a big proponent of Bieniemy getting a job. When he spoke to the media leading up to the wild-card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he suggested that he felt this was the year Bieniemy would finally get a job. Perhaps he knew this interview and opportunity was coming all along.
So what would Bieniemy being hired by New Orleans mean for Kansas City? This team has been preparing for their coaching staff to see attrition since they won Super Bowl LIV. Not only do they have in-house candidates who could replace both Bieniemy and new Giants OC Mike Kafka, but they’ve been preparing an external list of candidates for two seasons now.
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