3 Scenarios Where Eric Bieniemy Is Only Commanders OC for One Year
After failing for multiple cycles to get a head coaching job, Eric Bieniemy left his position as Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator to take, in title, the same post with the Washington Commanders.
But in D.C., Bieniemy will get the chance to step out of the shadow of Andy Reid and call plays for Ron Rivera's offense, perhaps making it impossible that he won't finally get an opportunity to be a head coach next offseason.
There are a slew of scenarios where Bieniemy is only the Commanders offensive coordinator for the 2023 season. Here's a look at three:
1. After Impressive 2023, Bieniemy Finally Gets a Head Coaching Job
This is the most cut-and-dry scenario. If Sam Howell looks like the long-term starting quarterback in his first full season at the helm, quite a bit of credit will be given to Bieniemy. Right or wrong, he didn't get that benefit of the doubt when he was standing next to Reid on the sideline and Patrick Mahomes was his quarterback. Howell guiding a Washington team that was the only in the NFC East to miss the playoffs a year ago into postseason contention would be the simplest way for Bieniemy to get a head coaching job, leaving the Commanders after just one year.
2. New Ownership Decides To Bring In Their Own Regime, and Bieniemy Is a Casualty
There was a certain level of risk for Bieniemy in choosing Washington as the place he would try to step out of Reid's shadow at. While Rivera is one of the most respected figures in the NFL, it's not uncommon for new ownership groups to clean house in the first offseason after they take over. If Washington finishes fourth in the NFC East again, new owner Joshua Harris may decide to bring in his own group, dismissing Rivera and general manager Martin Mayhew. Under that scenario, Bieniemy might just be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and be left to look for a new job next offseason.
3. New Ownership Moves On From Rivera, Hires Bieniemy As Head Coach
OK, so this one is a bit of a technicality, because Bieniemy would be getting a promotion and probably still be calling plays. But if Harris' group, for whatever reason, moves on from Rivera after the 2023, they'll almost certainly at least interview Bieniemy. And if they feel like he's got the offense moving in the right direction and would be a better voice for the team overall, a promotion and chance to bring in his own staff would be a way for the 53-year-old to finally get a head coaching job.
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