Eric Bieniemy Masterminded The Chiefs' 2 Wide-Open TDs In Super Bowl LVII And Just Might Deserve A Head Coaching Job

Matt Fitzgerald2/13/2023 7:30 PM

Made sure to get all the Xs and Os stuff in there for those of you who are really interested in the finer details, but the main point is that Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy keeps getting passed up for head coaching positions every single year. It's been ridiculous for a while now, and this little anecdote from the Chiefs' 38-35 win over the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII makes it even more so.

There are really only two head coaching vacancies left around the NFL. While the Colts are expected to hire Philadelphia offensive coordinator Shane Steichen and understandably so, it appears the Arizona Cardinals have Jonathan Gannon under heavy consideration.

So let's get this straight. Gannon oversaw the 18th-ranked scoring defense in 2021 before Eagles GM Howie Roseman added even more reinforcements to what was already arguably the NFL's best roster. Then, the stacked Philly d-line winds up generating a record number of sacks, in part because they faced a cupcake schedule full of shitty opposing quarterbacks and had a fast-starting offense led by MVP candidate Jalen Hurts. The Eagles jumped on teams early, put inferior QBs in obvious passing situations, and teed off.

Against the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City, it was a different story on Super Bowl Sunday. Mahomes moved the ball at will down the field in the second half. Every critical situation when the Chiefs had the ball, they out-executed the Iggles' floundering D — especially on those two red zone TDs to Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore.

Philadelphia's vaunted pass rush couldn't make an impact on even a hobbled, injured Mahomes between the 20s. It's pretty staggering to think about how much of a coaching masterpiece Andy Reid and Bieniemy put forth after the halftime break. They coached circles around Gannon's ass.

Whatever, looks like Bieniemy didn't do enough to be a head coach again. Let Gannon take the Cardinals job. I'd be thrilled because that'd mean they didn't hire Bengals DC Lou Anarumo, who I maintain is laughably overrated.

Giphy Images.

Not to take anything away from the job Gannon did or how he's hustled to work his way up the coaching ladder…and I don't mean the following as a harbinger of doom: However, the last defensive coordinator I can recall who got this fucking worked in a Super Bowl before accepting a head coaching gig was Matt Patricia. Classic old Lions thing to do. "Oh, the man who caused Tom Brady to LOSE a Bowl despite TB12 throwing for over 500 yards? Yeah! Let's hire him! That's our guy!"

Jonathan Gannon would have to do a real number to be as incompetent and in over his head as Matt Patricia was in Detroit. Certainly interested to see how Gannon's personality meshes with Kyler Murray. They both seem like fiery guys, but the fact that Gannon comes from the defensive side puts Arizona at a disadvantage in my opinion regarding maximizing Kyler's potential.

If only there was a smart, extremely proven offensive coach out there who could help. Maybe Bieniemy will just bail to Washington and wait for Ron Rivera to vacate.

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