3 outside the box Eric Bieniemy replacements the Chiefs should consider
By Kristen Wong
With Eric Bieniemy and the Chiefs potentially parting ways this offseason, here are three unconventional candidates Kansas City should consider to be the next offensive coordinator.
After years of being passed over for head coaching jobs, Eric Bieniemy may finally be saying, “Screw it. Get me out of here.”
Bieniemy has run the offense on the Kansas City Chiefs for the last five years, helping the team win not one but two Super Bowls during his tenure. Most coaches who boast a resume like Bieniemy’s would be snapped up in a heartbeart, but due to a variety of fact— well, let’s just cut the crap and say no one knows why Bieniemy hasn’t gotten a head coach offer yet. It’s honestly just baffling.
Despite losing out in the Baltimore Ravens’ OC search, Bieniemy appears to be the frontrunner for the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator job, dining with head coach Ron Rivera and spending countless hours at the Commanders’ facility.
Bieniemy would be making a lateral move to another play-calling position, but it could be a much-needed change of scenery for someone whose career has apparently hit a wall in Kansas City.
For more conventional offensive coordinator replacements for the Chiefs (yes, everybody knows Matt Nagy is the obvious option), check this out.
For outside-the-box candidates, read on.
3. Alex Smith has a Chiefs legacy
NFL journeyman quarterback Alex Smith spent some of his best years on Kansas City and could be considered an under-the-radar candidate for the offensive coordinator position.
Smith played for the Chiefs for five years from 2013 to 2017, earning three Pro Bowls and finishing with a 50-26 record as a starter. His stats pale in comparison to Patrick Mahomes, of course, but compared to the likes of Matt Cassell or Brady Quinn? Smith was a franchise-saver.
The former 49ers quarterback provided a stabilizing presence in Kansas City and helped turn the team from perennial doormats to playoff contenders, guiding the Chiefs to four postseason runs and their first consecutive division titles in franchise history.
Patrick Mahomes still thanks Smith for helping him develop all those years ago. Reid said he’d love to have Smith on his staff after Smith’s retirement and clearly thinks highly of him.
Given Smith’s quarterback experience and his admirable toughness and resilience in his playing career (he and Mahomes are two peas in a pod), Smith could be a sneaky good pick to lead the Chiefs’ offense for years to come.