Chiefs HC Andy Reid: 'I think this year' Eric Bieniemy becomes head coach

What's become somewhat of an annual tradition as of late has begun again this winter. The Kansas City Chiefs are in the opening stages of what they hope will be a lengthy playoff run, but head coach Andy Reid nevertheless has to take time out of his busy schedule to address the elephant in the room that is offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy still not having a head-coaching gig. 

Reid has often gone to bat for Bieniemy and did so again during Friday's media availability. 

"It disappoints me that someone hasn’t hired him," Reid said of the 52-year-old, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "I think this year he’s going to end up with one." 

Bieniemy remains one of the most respected coordinators in the NFL and, per ESPN stats, helped the Chiefs finish the 2021 regular season third in total yards (396.8) and fourth in points (28.2) per game. He explained over the summer he wasn't "frustrated" about not yet being a head coach either in the NFL or at the college level, and he was linked with the USC Trojans back in September. 

"If he doesn't get an offer, there is a serious problem in this league," five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman said of Bieniemy during the latest edition of his podcast. 

Following the week's events, Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers is the only Black head coach in the NFL. Bieniemy could help change that stunning statistic, but only if a franchise gives him an opportunity whenever his work with the Chiefs is finished this postseason.