Report: NFL team expressing serious interest in Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy
Eric Bieniemy is reportedly getting a shot with a NFL franchise that hasn’t had a head coach opening in nearly two decades, as other teams have passed on the highly regarded Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator year after year.
The New Orleans Saints were stunned when Sean Payton shocked the NFL world and stepped away from his role as head coach last week.
Now, it appears the Saints’ brass has their eyes on yet another brilliant offensive mind.
“The Saints want to speak with Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy for the head coaching job, per sources,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweeted on Thursday night. “An interview could take place Saturday.”
Coming off a 2021 campaign where he led the Kansas City Chiefs to finish with the No. 2 ranked offense in the NFL, Bieniemy’s name still hasn’t emerged as multiple teams seek to fill their head coaching vacancies.
The New Orleans Saints are clearly seeing what other NFL franchises are not.
Brian Flores highlights Eric Bieniemy in lawsuit vs. NFL
Earlier this week, former Miami Dolphins’ head coach Brian Flores took an unprecedented step by opening a class-action lawsuit vs. the NFL. The bombshell lawsuit is opening the door for additional coaches who have their own proof of racial hiring practices to join with their stories.
There is an entire section of the lawsuit dedicated to Cheifs’ offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and the lack of offers he’s received to become an NFL head coach, despite an impeccable resume.
Here is part of the official document above, which is contained in the lawsuit against the NFL from Flores.
“In 2018, Mr. Bienemy was promoted to Offensive Coordinator. In Mr. Bieniemy’s first season as Offensive Coordinator, the Chiefs were first in the NFL in yards per game and scored the third-most points in a season in NFL history
In 2018, the Chiefs advanced to the AFC Championship Game where they lost to the Tom Brady-led New England Patriots.
In 2019, Mr. Bieniemy won his first Super Bowl with the Chiefs. In 2020 and 2021, Mr. Bieniemy again helped lead the Chiefs to the AFC Champonship game and, in 2020, the Super Bowl.”
The document, likely prepared by attorneys for Fores, sums up its two page argument on behalf of Eric Bieniemy with a strong statement.
“Without question, Mr. Bieniemy has the pedigree, track record and reputation to make him a sought-after Head Coach. However, despite being interviewed for approximately 20 vacant positions over the last five years or so, no team has extended Mr. Bieniemy an offer.
During this time, numerous white candidates who are clearly less qualified have taken over the Head Coach duties for numerous NFL teams.”