3 offensive coordinators Chiefs could hire to replace Eric Bieniemy
By John Buhler
Eric Bieniemy may not be returning to the Kansas City Chiefs after his contract expires.
With Eric Bieniemy’s contract with the Kansas City Chiefs up at the end of the year, the offensive coordinator may be exploring his options.
Though an NFL head-coaching gig has evaded him for years now, Bieniemy may look to start fresh somewhere else. While he could return to Kansas City in 2022, he may entertain college opportunities, other gigs in the NFL or just take the year off. He has been in the spotlight for years as Patrick Mahomes’ offensive coordinator, so it is understandable if he feels he needs a break.
If this is the end of the line for Bieniemy in Kansas City, who could replace him as the Chiefs’ next offensive coordinator?
Kansas City Chiefs: 3 replacements for Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator
Scouting Report. Running Backs Coach. 124. 3. player. Pick Analysis. Kansas City Chiefs. Greg Lewis
Greg Lewis is a potential candidate to be promoted from within for Kansas City
Up until recently, the likeliest internal candidate to replace Bieniemy was former Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka. He played for Andy Reid in Philadelphia and he coached for him in Kansas City once his playing career came to an end. But with Kafka becoming Brian Daboll’s offensive coordinator for the New York Giants, the new internal candidate might be Greg Lewis.
Like Kafka, Lewis played for Reid in Philadelphia. The former wide receiver served as that position group’s coach for four years prior to this season. He became the Chiefs’ running backs coach in 2021. Lewis has five years of coaching experience on Reid’s staff in multiple roles. Assuming Reid would be the offensive play-caller, this is a way to maintain continuity by promoting from within.
This would be a steep learning curve for Lewis, but it is not like the Chiefs are devoid of talent offensively. It will be more about devising a game plan and getting all offensive position groups on the same page. Though he is not a quarterbacks coach, everybody in the wide receivers and running backs room know who he is and what he is about. Reid has promoted from within before.
While Lewis is a dark horse candidate to replace Bieniemy, he is at least worth being discussed.