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If the 2021 Minnesota Vikings season became pear-shaped similar to the 2020 campaign, a path to Eric Bieniemy as a head coach would unexpectedly be available.
Bieniemy, the current Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator, was explored for head coaching duties by the Bengals, Browns, Buccaneers, Cardinals, Dolphins, Eagles, Falcons, Chargers, Giants, Jets, Lions and Texans during the last two seasons. Mathematically, that’s about 40% of all NFL teams that picked a different coach candidate than Bieniemy, 51.
Something must give.
The Vikings are unlikely to experience a depressing season in 2021 as several notable injured players will return and likely have an impact. But 2020 wasn’t meant to be a 7-9 year, either. Minnesota was predicted by punters to win 9-10 games and take on the Green Bay Packers for the NFC North division. Instead, the Vikings got off to a 1-5 start, led a mid-season push and fell flat again when a playoff berth was on the line.
The 7-9 finish shortened Mike Zimmer’s seven-year job lead with the Vikings. He can’t start the season with a grilled butt, but any semblance of a disappointing year – injuries or no injuries – will speed up calls for his ouster.
On Bieniemy, the Chiefs offensive guru is already coveted by Viking loyalists. Kansas City scripted three full seasons of a gargantuan offensive outing, and Minnesota fans believe he could do the same in North Star State.
If 2021 was Zimmer’s last year with the franchise, Bieniemy would be there to be the Vikings’ new skipper.
Passed … again
By Marcellus in Hamlet, something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
For reasons unknown, countless teams have passed away offering Bieniemy his chance to do the big job. Rumor has it the man is not interviewing very well. Well, it’s not for lack of eloquence or cordiality. Physically pull any Bieniemy YouTube feed, and this theory is instantly debunked.
Even the teams that are notorious for their tough-headed coach hires – the Jets and Browns – have auditioned for Bieniemy. It may not be a conspiracy or racial motivation, but some mysterious force or cause is preventing an extremely prolific offensive coordinator from realizing his natural progression as an NFL coach.
At some point an NFL franchise will take the plunge – and it should have happened now. Forget about conspiracy theories, skin color or any other extravagant reasoning, the guy could look like a real hobbit and still land a head coaching job based on his accomplishments to date in Kansas City.
The more the NFL balks at his candidacy, the more curious the event becomes. If the Vikings do indeed make a coaching change, they may be the franchise that ends the mindless conundrum beset in Bieniemy’s job search.
The proverb “Vikings Ties”
A hypothetical Bieniemy-to-Minnesota transaction is not based on a “maybe LeBron James will play for the Timberwolves” fantasy. Bieniemy has a real connection to the Vikings. Do you remember the days of Adrian Peterson? You do. Bieniemy was the running back coach in the early days of Peterson. Check some Adrian Peterson stats and box scores to determine if Bieniemy performed well.
Bieniemy joined Minnesota in 2006 at the start of Brad Childress’s tenure. He was in charge of running backs and was then promoted to assistant head coach for the ill-fated 2010 season. There is also a sentimental connection with Minnesota. The Vikings gave the Chiefs coordinator his first professional coaching gig. Before wearing a purple and gold sideline outfit, he coached running backs at the University of Colorado and UCLA. Minnesota gave him a coaching shot in the NFL – and by the way, here’s a Hall-of-Famer to Adrian Peterson.
These connections are important in coaching relationships. The current ownership of the Vikings was the same as that of Bieniemy’s first stint with the Vikings. It wouldn’t be strange for the Wilfs to approach Bieniemy if the team had a vacant head coach position in 2021.
The Mahomes-Reid-Bieniemy debate
When it comes to win and loss and his grill environment, Bieniemy is a lucky man. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has finally joined the Super Bowl club. Its bosses toppled the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. Kansas City returns to the championship in February in what appears to be the continuation of a fledgling dynasty.
Reid can take credit for the dynastic flirtation, but some [a lot] must be parked at the door of Quarter Patrick Mahomes. The former Texas Tech has accomplished enough in three seasons for reasonable football heads to anoint his greatest quarterback talent – at the age of 25.
Is Bieniemy affiliated with Accessories for Chef’s Triumphs? Not really – obviously. Should it be defended? Absolutely. Think of the “equal pay for equal work” vibes.
And the football gods seem to be pushing Bieniemy towards Minnesota – at least through a series of weird events.
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