Buccaneers request interview with Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy

The Buccaneers have requested to interview Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, the first reported interview for the head coach vacancy.

General manager Jason Licht and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are fast at work trying to fill the organization’s head coaching vacancy.

According to Terez Paylor of Yahoo Sports, the Bucs requested to interview Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

Bieniemy is in his first season as the coordinator for the Chiefs. He spent the previous four seasons as the running backs coach.

It’s no secret, but Bieniemy is a significant force behind the best offense in football. Kansas City was first in points per game (35.7) and yards per game (425.6) in 2018.

The Chiefs have plowed through the NFL putting up points at will. Tampa Bay had successful offenses under head coach Dirk Koetter, but perhaps Bieniemy could see the unit to its full potential.

Already a popular candidate, the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins also requested to interview the up-and-coming coordinator.

Hiring Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinators led to tremendous success for two other organizations in the past few seasons. Back in 2016, the Philadelphia Eagles hired Doug Pederson, who served as offensive coordinator under Andy Reid. He just delivered the city of Philadelphia its first Super Bowl.

The Chicago Bears hired Matt Nagy, who was also a Chiefs coordinator, last offseason and he has propelled them to the number three seed in the NFC, with a creative offensive scheme and dominant defense to boot.

If the Bucs like what they hear from Bieniemy and decide to move forward with him, it would be similar to the Koetter hire.

Tampa Bay would bring in a trendy coordinator with a modern-day outlook on the game. The Chiefs offense is undoubtedly one of the more unique in the league. A talented quarterback helps, but Bieniemy’s history as a running backs coach could mean a legitimate rushing attack in Tampa Bay.