KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Suitors are once again lining up to court Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
The NFL Network reported Monday that the Detroit Lions and the New York Jets have requested to interview Bieniemy, who has served as Kansas City's offensive coordinator for the last three seasons.
The Atlanta Falcons also reportedly will interview Bieniemy Monday by teleconference.
The Lions fired former head coach Matt Patricia after Week 12. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell has served as the interim head coach in Detroit. The Lions planned to interview Bieniemy on Monday, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.
The Lions are planning to interview Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy today, interim coach Darrell Bevell on Tuesday and 49ers DC Robert Saleh on Thursday for their HC position, I'm told.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 4, 2021
Detroit is expected to interview Titans OC Arthur Smith and Saints AHC Dan Campbell next week.
The Lions also plan to interview Bevell, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Saints associate head coach Dan Campbell in the coming days, according to NFL Network.
Meanwhile, the New York Jets have also requested an interview with Bieniemy, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The club fired former head coach Adam Gase on Sunday after two seasons, including a dismal 2-14 campaign in 2020.
And now the Jets officially requested Chiefs' OC Eric Bieniemy for their HC job as well, per source. https://t.co/mcBM2SdhQ5
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 4, 2021
Both jobs are uphill climbs for any incoming coach.
The Lions haven't reached the playoffs since 2016 and own the NFL's longest playoff win drought. Detroit's last postseason win came in January 1992.
The Jets haven't won a playoff game since the 2010 season.
This would reportedly be Bieniemy's second interview with the Jets over the past three seasons. He's also reportedly interviewed for head coaching vacancies with the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants.
Bieniemy is in his eighth season as an assistant coach with the Chiefs, having spent the first five seasons as running backs coach.
After four seasons as running backs coach with the Minnesota Vikings from 2006-09, Bieniemy was promoted to assistant head coach/running backs coach in 2020. He also spent time with his alma mater Colorado and UCLA in the college ranks.
During a nine-year NFL playing career, Bieniemy spent time with the Chargers, Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles.
