Eric Bieniemy will leave the Kansas City Chiefs for the Washington Commanders. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported the news Friday that Bieniemy will join Ron Rivera and the Commanders coaching staff as their next offensive coordinator.
“The Commanders and Eric Bieniemy agreed to terms on a multiyear deal as their assistant head coach/offensive coordinator, his agent Jason Fletcher tells me,” wrote Pelissero in a tweet.
The #Commanders and Eric Bieniemy agreed to terms on a multiyear deal as their assistant head coach/offensive coordinator, his agent Jason Fletcher tells me.
KC wanted him back. But Bieniemy got an upgraded title, a chance to build his staff and a big commitment. pic.twitter.com/7FRR3a6qRW
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 17, 2023
It was reported early Friday that the team and Bieniemy were near an agreement. Several hours later, everything seems to have come to fruition.
Bieniemy had been a hot head coaching candidate over the past few seasons. Despite unparalleled success as offensive coordinator with the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes, no such offers ever came. So as the 2022 season has concluded, Bieniemy will take on a new task as OC for the Commanders.
The Chiefs won two Super Bowl titles with him as offensive coordinator in 2020 and 2023. Kansas City’s offenses were always well-schemed and well-put-together under Bieniemy as well. Having an elite quarterback and skill position players over the years certainly helps. But it takes a village, as they say.
This will be quite the challenge for Eric Bieniemy. There is obviously a huge drop-off in talent from the Chiefs to the Commanders. Especially at the quarterback position, where the untested Sam Howell is likely to be QB1. Whether it works out is yet to be seen. But he’ll have plenty rooting for him.
The NFL world reacted to the update on Bieniemy.
Anytime you can go from Patrick Mahomes to Sam Howell, you do it.
— DJ Corrigan (@Corrigan_Tweets) February 17, 2023
Mahomes having to win without him will be a media talking point for the next year.
— Jacob Browne (@strictlysportsp) February 17, 2023
Trash 🚮. Not EB.. just the way this all played out. https://t.co/DfwuDQeGIw
— Eric Crocker 🥷🏾 (@Crocky209) February 17, 2023
A big part of the #Chiefs recent success is leaving town. Eric Bieniemy and Andy Reid have worked wonderfully together, but Bieniemy is now headed to Washington. https://t.co/T3MXa70Fwb
— Jacob Cersosimo (@JacobCersosimo) February 17, 2023
This is a chance for EB to show what he can do offensively without the shadow of Andy Reid#ChiefsKingdom https://t.co/uftKqlp66s
— Mark Spillane (@MarkSpillane_) February 17, 2023
Super unfair he has to do this after Nagy & Pederson didn't, but when he upgrades that offense. . . . . . he will still be passed over because these owners are awful https://t.co/iyq6aAscIJ
— Tyrone Johnson (@TyJohnsonNews) February 17, 2023
Could not be happier for EB. Truly hope this FINALLY puts him on the fast track to becoming a head coach. https://t.co/5Hn2T1zNw8
— 🗣🎙‼️ (@LanceTHESPOKEN) February 17, 2023
Home run hire by the #Commanders.
Bienemy should be a head coach, but fingers crossed maybe he will eventually be that in Washington. https://t.co/XVppnBimak
— Ben Parsons (@BenParsons7) February 17, 2023
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022