Why offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy left the Chiefs for the Commanders

The Washington Commanders know offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy cannot deliver quarterback Patrick Mahomes with him. But they’d be completely happy if Bieniemy may replicate a number of the offensive success the 2 shared with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Washington employed Bieniemy on Friday. He leaves Kansas City after 5 seasons in the identical position, however he would be the main playcaller in Washington — one thing he didn’t do with the Chiefs.

He’s coming in to guide a unit that has struggled many of the previous six years, failing to complete with an offense ranked within the prime 15 in both factors or yards throughout that point.

Not so coincidentally, Washington has made one postseason look throughout that point.

As Kansas City’s offensive coordinator the previous 5 years, Bieniemy has coached in 14 playoff video games. Meanwhile, Washington has performed in 10 playoff video games since successful the Super Bowl after the 1991 season.

If Bieniemy succeeds in his new position, the Commanders may add to that whole in 2023.

What does this imply for Washington?

It means the workforce will change its offense from the system run by Scott Turner to the West Coast offense that Bieniemy has labored up to now 10 seasons with Chiefs coach Andy Reid, first because the operating backs coach after which offensive coordinator in Kansas City. There’s lots of crossover with offenses, so it’s going to be as a lot about studying the terminology than anything.

The different query can be which offensive coaches stay on the workers. Washington coach Ron Rivera desires to restrict the adjustments as a lot as doable to ease the transition, significantly for quarterback Sam Howell. He’s coming off a rookie season wherein he performed in a single recreation and tried 19 passes.

“I’m not worried about his learning ability,” Rivera stated. “Learning the offense that we had really put a lot on a young guy and he handled it very well from the beginning. I assume he’s not going to struggle. He’s also the kind of guy who can work with his teammates and help them develop and grow as well.” — John Keim

What does this imply for Kansas City?

The Chiefs have a succession plan in place and almost certainly it means Matt Nagy takes over as offensive coordinator. Nagy, the Chiefs quarterbacks coach final season, was their coordinator in 2016 and 2017 earlier than he left to develop into head coach of the Chicago Bears. So the transition ought to be as near seamless as moderately doable for Mahomes and the offense, significantly as a result of Reid will keep his appreciable presence. — Adam Teicher

Why would Bieniemy go away KC for a lateral transfer?

Reid’s shadow wasn’t an impediment for Doug Pederson or Nagy, his first two offensive coordinators after becoming a member of the Chiefs. Each moved on from there to a head-coaching job, Pederson with the Philadelphia Eagles and Nagy with the Bears. But for some cause it appears to be a difficulty for Bieniemy in his pursuit of an NFL head-coaching job. Perhaps getting away from Reid and Mahomes and being profitable with the Commanders will make him a extra enticing head-coaching candidate.

Even Reid appeared to counsel as a lot, saying on Monday, “I’m hoping he has an opportunity to go somewhere and do his thing where he can run the show and be Eric Bieniemy.” — Teicher

Will this increase Bieniemy chances of getting a head-coaching job?

If he has success, it has to increase his chances. Let’s put it this way: It certainly won’t hurt. And if he does well it removes one knock against him, that he wasn’t a full-time playcaller in Kansas City and the Chiefs’ offensive success stemmed from Reid and Mahomes.

He has been in the running for other jobs, but the lack of playcalling was an obstacle. Now, he has that chance and will let his work speak for itself.

The difficult part for him is he might have one season to prove himself in that role. Rivera will enter what has to be considered a must-win season with a coordinator running his own show for the first time along with an inexperienced quarterback in Howell. It’s a combination that calls for patience as they transition. — Keim

Why did the Commanders choose Bieniemy?

He’s passionate and demanding, qualities that can help kick-start an offense that has not produced a top-15 ranking in points or yards since 2016. His style could help. Before Super Bowl LVII, Mahomes said, “Make positive you have got an Eric Bieniemy in your life as a result of he’ll be sure you’re able to go.”

Bieniemy comes from a system that was highly productive. And Washington liked how the Chiefs used their skill talent, feeling their size and styles compared favorably to what the Commanders have in Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel. Washington liked how creatively the Chiefs maneuvered their talent to give them better opportunities.

Washington also liked his presence and how he presented his ideas during the interview, as well as how he planned to use the Commanders’ players. They also liked that he told them a team needs to be balanced to score points, but must finish games with the rushing attack.

It helped, too, that Bieniemy coached under Reid for so long. Rivera coached under Reid for five seasons in Philadelphia and the two remain friends. Rivera has often sought Reid’s advice and his recommendation would carry a lot of weight. — Keim

Who else was in the running for the job?

Washington interviewed seven other candidates: Pat Shurmur (not currently with a team), Commanders QB coach Ken Zampese, Tennessee Titans QB coach/pass game coordinator Charles London, Miami Dolphins associate head coach/running backs coach Eric Studesville, San Francisco 49ers assistant head coach/running backs coach Anthony Lynn, former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman and Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach/tight ends coach Thomas Brown. Zampese was the only coach on Washington’s staff to interview. — Keim

What does Bieniemy bring to the Commanders’ offense?

The Commanders are getting a detail-oriented offensive coordinator who will coach his players hard. Players tell stories of how Bieniemy harps on seemingly the smallest of details and makes sure he covers as many game situations as possible.

“He’s bringing it and it is daily,” Reid stated. “He doesn’t let one thing slide.”

On being a coach who stresses the details, Bieniemy said, “I take lots of private satisfaction in ensuring every thing is dotted, T’s are crossed and every thing is absolute.”

After the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII win over the Eagles, Mahomes gave Bieniemy credit for running back Jerick McKinnon sliding at the 1-yard line to set up the game-winning field goal, rather than score a touchdown and leave time on the clock for the Eagles to respond. Mahomes said Bieniemy repeatedly covers that scenario.

“Even although generally we get bored with listening and speaking about these moments, they all the time appear to occur within the greatest video games and he makes positive we go over the small print each single week,” Mahomes stated. — Teicher

What does Bieniemy should work with in Washington?

It has three expert receivers in McLaurin, Samuel and Dotson, two stable operating backs in Antonio Gibson and Brian Robinson Jr. and lots of questions.

Rivera has stated Howell will enter spring exercises because the beginning quarterback. Washington preferred Howell fairly a bit earlier than the 2022 draft, however wasn’t going to select him as a result of it had traded for Carson Wentz. But when he was there within the fifth spherical, the Commanders pounced. Had they not traded for Wentz, they could have chosen him within the second or third spherical.

But whereas they like Howell, the actual fact stays he has tried 19 passes within the NFL. And this additionally could be the second offense he is needed to study in two years. Washington additionally wants to enhance its offensive line, presumably including two or three starters. — Keim

What does Bieniemy’s hiring imply forward of Commanders’ probably sale?

It’s onerous to completely know what it means, but it surely’s onerous to think about anybody coming right here until they felt snug Rivera could be teaching right here in 2023. It’s one factor to attempt to deliver on a longtime coach like Sean Payton — as he stated one potential possession group tried to do — it is one other to then carry out a search that would come with prime assistants.

The different issue some have talked about in Bieniemy’s favor is that with new house owners, maybe he may earn the job after this season in the event that they needed to fireside Rivera. But there are some sticking factors right here. If Bieniemy’s offense does nicely, it probably means Washington has an excellent season — and Rivera would stick round. If the Commanders’ offense struggles, it could be a tough promote to advertise Bieniemy or anybody else off this workers. Perhaps if Washington’s offense turns into explosive, however the workforce nonetheless finishes round .500 and the house owners need a change then Bieniemy has a stronger case to take over. — Keim