The Kansas City Chiefs won their second Super Bowl in five seasons in their third trip to the ultimate game over that span.
Of course, we credit head coach Andy Reid and superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes for the team’s success. But one person who seems to be on the outside looking in when it comes to praise and accolades is offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
Why Hasn’t Eric Bieniemy Gotten Head Coaching Job?
And while we’ve long wondered why he hasn’t yet been named a head coach, let’s talk about his importance to the Chiefs ever-growing dynasty. And mainly his effect on the team in Sunday’s thrilling 38-35 come-from-behind Super Bowl win.
With the Chiefs trailing 24-14 at halftime of Sunday’s instant classic, Bieniemy, not Reid reportedly got things rolling in the adjustment department. Even Reid credited his offensive coordinator with the clutch play calls that enabled K.C. to come out victorious.
During the Lombardi Trophy presentation, Reid told Fox’s Terry Bradshaw this:
“Eric Bieniemy was tremendous down the stretch there, putting things together.”
Reid’s statement further proves that Bieniemy does indeed call plays and has a vital role in the Chiefs’ success.
“Corn Dog Shuttle” Play Was The Winner Of The Night
While watching film on Saturday, Bieniemy reportedly came across some plays the Eagles struggled with during the season. One was using fake motion to cause emotion. It’s running a player about halfway and quickly having him reverse pivot and change direction. It’s designed to stress the corners and confuse them on how to pass off the receivers, and twice the Chiefs scored touchdowns to wide-open receivers after the action. Once to Kadarius Toney and once to rookie Skyy Moore.
TIE GAME. HERE WE GO.
📺: #SBLVII on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/d8gBDzRt2m pic.twitter.com/kibzBw5WYe— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2023
Eric Bieniemy Play Construction/Calling Is Elite
Bieniemy’s attention to detail and timely play-calling was genius. The former Colorado Buffaloes standout running back said he noticed how overly aggressive the Eagles were on film, and no one came back to it all season.
Bieniemy showed the world what many didn’t believe he could do, and that’s dial up plays, and he did in the biggest game and in the pressure-packed moments.
SKYY'S ARE CLEAR ☀️ pic.twitter.com/GGCQvS0gs9
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) February 13, 2023
Bieniemy Made Genius Halftime Adjustments
Bieniemy’s halftime adjustments included keeping his offense positive and understanding that they weren’t far off. The resilient unit just needed to hang in there and execute against the different defensive looks the Eagles were flashing. All season, Philly got away with mixing and matching coverages with two high safeties, and that’s because their vaunted pass rush got to the QB.
In Sunday’s big game, they registered no sacks. That ended up being disastrous, because for the first time all season they couldn’t depend on their deadly rush. A dominant performance by a formidable Chiefs offensive line enabled Bieniemy, Reid and Mahomes to make plays all second half.
This embrace between Isiah Pacheco and Eric Bieniemy .. wow. #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/gf0kCEoC05
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) February 13, 2023
“The Eagles gave us a few different — not so much different — but they gave us some blitzes. They played some types of coverages. We just weren’t executing like we needed to,” Bieniemy said in his postgame interview. “I thought our guys did a hell of a job adjusting. I thought our guys just did a hell of a job just playing through the lows and hanging together.”
Four second-half possessions later produced three touchdowns and a Super Bowl-winning field goal.
While rumors of Bieniemy leaving are growing louder, no way he should leave K.C. for a lateral move, it’d have to be a head coach position. You don’t leave No. 15 for anything less.
