USAT: Chiefs Wire audio clip

USAT: Chiefs Wire

Jan 14, 2022

As the Kansas City Chiefs get ready for another postseason run in the 2021 NFL playoffs, one member of the coaching staff is once again making rounds in the annual head-coaching carousel. Eric Bieniemy has been interviewed by 13 teams spanning three seasons, but he has been passed over for other head-coaching candidates each time. Some of those candidates that were chosen over him have already been fired by the teams that hired them. Now, with eight head-coaching vacancies in the NFL, Bieniemy’s name has again come up. It has left many wondering whether this year will finally yield the long-deserved opportunity that he’s awaited. Right now, however, his focus lies on the Steelers and preparing his offense for the game. “It’s always good to be mentioned,” Bieniemy told reporters on Thursday. “The thing about it, you don’t allow it to become a distraction because, first and foremost, I have a job. Second of all, we’ve got a big game this up and coming weekend and that’s the most important thing, to take care of the business at hand and to focus on the now. All of that stuff is going to take care of itself. And do not get me wrong, I am blessed and I am fortunate to be a part of that chatter, to be a part of some of the things that are taking place, but right now my focus is to make sure that we’re ready to play. . .” Speaking to reporters on Friday, Chiefs HC Andy Reid reemphasized that the interview process wouldn’t be a distraction for Bieniemy or his players. While he’s been disappointed with how things have turned out for Bieniemy in the head-coaching searches over the past few seasons, Reid is confident that things will be different this time around. “No, not at all,” Reid proclaimed. “These guys are unselfish guys. EB (Eric Bieniemy) has had that the last couple years, and it disappoints me that someone hasn’t hired him, obviously, because he’s so good. I’m hoping that takes place this year. But you know the guys, they’re not going to let it be a distraction. They’re going to defer to the team and what that’s all about and then kind of let the chips fall where they may. I’m sure between COVID and our long season it hasn’t been real beneficial for EB in having the opportunity, but I think this year he’s going to end up with one.” Bieniemy has paid his dues and waited perhaps longer than he’d hoped for a head-coaching opportunity. Look no further than his commitment to the team and his current job to find one reason why. He puts his all into the game plan and the team each and every week. He’ll continue to do that for the wild-card game against the Steelers and moving forward, no matter what team he ends up coaching for. List Final injury report for Chiefs vs. Steelers, wild-card round Email Sign up Like this article? Sign up for the Chiefs Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning An error has occured Please re-enter your email address. Thanks for signing up! You'll now receive the top Chiefs Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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