Eric Bieniemy considered hot commodity for lateral move around NFL
By Matt Conner
If Eric Bieniemy is willing to accept a lateral move around the NFL to another team, he’ll suddenly be a very hot commodity on the open market, per the latest reports.
Fair or not, Eric Bieniemy has had an impossible time on the job market when it comes to finding a head coaching position around the NFL. Despite 10 years next to Andy Reid and five years in the coordinator role for the most successful franchise of the last five seasons, Bieniemy has been spurned by half the league for head coaching roles around the league.
However, if the latest reports are to be believed, Bieniemy could find himself a red-hot commodity once again on the open market if he’s willing to accept a lateral move away from the Kansas City Chiefs.
Both ESPN reporter Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport have word this morning on different teams around the league who would be interested in bringing in Bieniemy to become their offensive coordinator as new coaches are building their new staffs and/or holdover coaches are hoping to hire in a fresh perspective to take them to the next level.
From Schefter, a report on Sunday has the Baltimore Ravens requesting permission to be able to interview him for Greg Roman’s former role in the team’s offense. Meanwhile, Rapoport has word that the Washington Commanders have “strong interest” in Bieniemy if/when he’s available. That’s interesting because Washington was reportedly a frontrunner to hire him as head coach before the Carolina Panthers surprisingly cut Ron Rivera a couple of years ago.
Here’s Rapoport’s full report:
“I am told that the Washington Commanders, who have yet to hire an offensive coordinator, have requested Bieniemy and have strong interest in him becoming their offensive coordinator. It would theoretically be a lateral move, but he would be a playcaller for the Commanders and he’s not under contract after this season, so he can move.”
Let’s not forget that Bieniemy is still in the running for head coach with the Indianapolis Colts, with whom he’s already interviewed. The Tennessee Titans and New York Jets are also among those interested in Bieniemy as an offensive coordinator. Bieniemy was also linked via rumors with the Denver Broncos head coaching opening earlier this offseason.
If the Chiefs lose to the Bengals in the AFC title game on Sunday evening, Bieniemy could find himself on the move very quickly in the days after conference championships. If not, any team would have to work around a Super Bowl schedule for Bieniemy.