Colts general manager Chris Ballard and owner Jim Irsay interviewed Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy on Thursday.

Irsay confirmed the interview with the 53-year-old Bieniemy, who has been a key presence in the development of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes from first-round pick to MVP.

The interview circuit is old hat for Bieniemy, although he has never been a head coach at any level. In 2021, Bieniemy interviewed to become a head coach with five different teams.

The Chiefs lost to the Colts in the regular season. But the offensive juggernaut led the NFL this season in points per game — 29.2 — and Kansas City was first in total offense (413.6) and passing yards (297.8).

Ballard worked in the Chiefs’ scouting department from 2013-16.

Bieniemy, in his fifth season as offensive coordinator, joined head coach Andy Reid’s staff in Kansas City in 2013 as running backs coach, and held that role until he was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2018.

A running back at Colorado, Bieniemy was drafted in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played a total of 142 games with the Chargers (1991-1994), Cincinnati Bengals (1995-1998) and Philadelphia Eagles (1999).

–Field Level Media