Eric Bieniemy Rumors: Chiefs OC 'Firmly in the Mix' for Texans Head Coach Opening

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has interviewed with five teams that have head coaching vacancies, but the sixth time could be the charm.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday that Bieniemy is "firmly in the mix" in Houston, where newly hired general manager Nick Caserio "has done thorough homework" on the 51-year-old.

Bieniemy cannot interview with teams until the Chiefs' season ends unless they make it to the Super Bowl, since he can speak to teams again during the bye week leading up to the championship game, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.

Bieniemy's track record has rightfully earned him the status as one of the top head coaching candidates this offseason. Since he took the job with the Chiefs in 2018, he has developed Patrick Mahomes into a Super Bowl champion, and surprisingly, he was back for more in 2020, orchestrating a No. 1 offense that has guided them to an AFC Divisional Round bout with the Cleveland Browns.

"Bieniemy's situation has not gone unnoticed within the coach, agent and player community, with many dumbfounded as to why Andy Reid's top assistant cannot get the opportunity to be a head coach as so many with less experience as a coach and a player continue to be hired," La Canfora reported. 

Deshaun Watson has advocated for the hiring of Bieniemy since the Texans elected to part ways with Bill O'Brien ahead of Week 5. La Canfora previously reported that Watson met with team owner Cal McNair to push for Bieniemy's hiring.

As rumors swirl about Watson's desire to leave the organization, interviewing Bieniemy may be one of Houston's last-ditch efforts to keep its star quarterback around. But it's also a hire that would make sense for any NFL team in need of some fresh blood.

First, Bieniemy has to lead his offense past the Browns on Sunday.