Eric Bieniemy gets his first interview with Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are the first team to show official interest in Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy for a head coaching opening this offseason. NFL reporter Ian Rapoport says George Paton has reached out for an interview to potentially take the place of the recently fired Vic Fangio.

The Broncos should be well-versed in what Bieniemy might have to offer as a head coach after playing against him and the rest of Andy Reid’s staff twice a year since the 2013 season. Bieniemy has worked his way up the food chain in Kansas City, going from longtime running backs coach to offensive coordinator for the last four seasons—each of which has featured Patrick Mahomes as the team’s starting quarterback.

Bieniemy has been a hot commodity in the potential head coaching circuit for each of those seasons. In the first year, it was easy to overlook the jobs that passed him over for his lack of experience as a coordinator. By now, however, he’s put in considerable time with a winning franchise and comes with years of experience next to one of the NFL’s most storied coaches ever in Andy Reid.

For the Broncos, the shift from Fangio to Bieniemy would be a big shift away from the defensive-minded leader to someone who is so charismatic on the offensive side. Bieniemy, who is 52 years old, has made no secret of his desire to coach a team of his own.

Before joining the Chiefs, Bieniemy served as the offensive coordinator at the University of Colorado, his alma mater, for a couple of seasons. Before that, he was assistant head coach and running backs coach of the Minnesota Vikings.