The Indianapolis Colts have completed their interview with Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, per own Jim Irsay.
Just when it seemed like the winter carousel for new head coaching gigs was going to leave Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy largely standing on the sidelines for most interviews, the Indianapolis Colts have apparently come calling. On Thursday, team owner Jim Irsay tweeted out an update saying, “Just completed our interview with Eric Bieniemy.”
While several teams have head coaching openings this offseason (for those teams at least), very few have expressed any interest in Bieniemy after he was such a hot commodity in recent years. Instead, Bieniemy seems to have come and gone as a candidate without ever having gotten a single job—all of this despite interviews with more than half of all NFL teams at this stage.
The Colts are looking for a new head coach after firing Frank Reich in the middle of the season. Jeff Saturday took over as interim coach, and he is reportedly in the mix with several other candidates. Some of those were known quantities, but the inclusion of Bieniemy was a surprise to this point.
Bieniemy would be a great hire for the Colts, at least on the surface, as a well-qualified member of Andy Reid’s coaching tree who has served as a coordinator for a half-decade with the NFL’s most dangerous offense. Few first-time head coaches have the experience that Bieniemy does, and EB would also come with some familiarity for Colts general manager Chris Ballard, who was with Kansas City for years before taking the Indianapolis gig.
Others who have interviewed or are scheduled to be interviewed for the Colts’ head coaching opening include Bubba Ventrone, Jeff Saturday, Ejiro Evero, Aaron Glenn, Ben Johnson, and Shane Steichen.
Here’s what is trending in Chiefs news
Former Panthers DT Phil Hoskins signs with Chiefs (Panthers Wire)
Former University of Kentucky defensive lineman Phil Hoskins has signed a futures deal with the Chiefs after being cut by the Carolina Panthers. He was the seventh-round selection for Carolina just a year ago, and in his second year, he was still playing sparingly for the Panthers up front. A longshot signing, like all futures deals, that will let the Chiefs see what they like in the young run stuffer.
Who is an ideal opponent for the Chiefs in next round? (KC Star)
The Star’s podcast—KC SportsBeat—takes a look at the various options that could be waiting for the Chiefs in the next round, the Divisional Round, after Wild Card weekend wraps in the AFC.