Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid supported offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, saying he hoped he had the opportunity to go somewhere and “do his thing,” according to KSHB reporter Tod Palmer.
“Eric Bieniemy has been tremendous for us, and I think he’s tremendous for the National Football League,” Reid said. “I’m hoping he has an opportunity to go somewhere and do his thing, where he can run the show and be Eric Bieniemy.”
Reid added he welcomes new opportunities for his staff because they earned them.
“I always wish our guys the best of luck,” he said. “An opportunity, that’s what all of them deserve. They work hard.
“If they can get a promotion somewhere that I can’t give them, more power to them.”
Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who faced Bieniemy in the 38-35 Chiefs Super Bowl win, was recently hired by the Arizona Cardinals to take the spot of Kliff Kingsbury. Though Bieniemy was interviewed for a head coaching spot with the Indianapolis Colts, Indy chose to go with Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen after a lengthy hiring process.
The quest for Bieniemy to earn a head-coaching spot may be over this year, but he at least deserves the chance to make his own identity on a new team.
While making a lateral move and taking a coordinator role on a team like the Washington Commanders may not be the perfect move, it would provide an opportunity to run his own offense and prove his capabilities as an offensive play-caller in a completely new setting.
Becoming an NFL head coach remained an objective for Bieniemy in January.
“Do I believe I’m qualified? Yes, I do,” Bieniemy said. “But that’s not the issue right now.
“The issue is making sure we’re taking care of business, and I’m doing my part in being accountable to those guys who are counting on me to be available, to be at my best when my best is needed.”
