Eric Bieniemy has brought intensity to the Washington Commanders as the team’s new offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. His coaching style puts accountability on players. He’s intense, sometimes harsh, and praising at the same time.
For a team like the Commanders, looking for success that’s evaded them for years, Bieniemy’s coaching sets a culture. But establishing the culture isn’t easy, especially with today’s type of players. It takes some getting used to, as Washington’s head coach Ron Rivera explained, some players are a “little concerned” about Bieniemy’s approach.
When asked if players struggled with Bieniemy’s style?
“Yeah, they have,” Rivera admitted, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “One of the biggest things is — I had a number of guys come to me, and I said, ‘Hey, just go talk to him.’ I said, ‘Understand what he’s trying to get across to you.’ I think as they go, and they talk, and they listen to him, it’s been enlightening for a lot of these guys. I mean, it’s a whole different approach.”
Rivera’s comments have been enlightening and may paint a picture of why Bieniemy is no longer with the Kansas City Chiefs and is now in Washington.
Bieniemy was the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator for five seasons from 2018-2022. Kansas City’s offense ranked in the top six in yards and scoring every season with Bieniemy, including three times first in yards. The Chiefs reached the AFC Championship Game each season and won two Super Bowls in three appearances.
However, an exchange between Bieniemy and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes during a game last September shed some light on Bieniemy’s intensity. Former Chiefs running back LeSean McCoy chimed in, “All Bieniemy does is argue [with] players.”
McCoy previously said, “Listen, because some players he talks to them a certain way, and some players would take it,” McCoy said. “I wouldn’t take it, like ‘whoa…”
After the Chiefs won its second Super Bowl last season, Bieniemy became available this off-season. He drew interest from the Commanders and Baltimore Ravens before landing in Washington. The spin behind his Kansas City departure was to allow him to call plays.
Bieniemy didn’t exclusively call plays under head coach Andy Reid. Reid handled the primary play-calling duties. Bienieny has yearned to be a head coach in the NFL, and despite the Chiefs’ success, teams passed him over during each hiring cycle.
Many pundits, including McCoy, have debated why Bieniemy has yet to land a head coach job. Meanwhile, in Washington, he gets an opportunity to set his offense, call plays, and be an assistant head coach hoping to prove he is ready to take over a team.
For a new environment with a struggling team, Bieniemy wants to set a tone with the Commanders. The players get the expletives, chastising, and command approach. But as Jhabvala pointed out, they also get praise with “Great job!”
His style is much-needed in Washington. The franchise has not won a playoff game since the 2005 season. It’s worth noting Rivera is considered a lame-duck coach entering his fourth year with Washington. What makes matters more challenging is there’s new ownership in town.
Rivera must win this year. Bieniemy may have one year to show he can be a head coach. All involved are on borrowed time. Getting the most out of the Commanders’ roster is imperative.
In Kansas City, his style helped grow a standard of winning. But the Chiefs’ standards are set in stone. They have the rings to show, and that scolding voice wore thin. The Commanders players are not used to it. However, they will learn to accept it if they want to win.
Bieniemy may not be for everybody. That’s why he’ll be the symbol of the 2023-24 season for Washington. If they turn things around and win, he gets the praise. If the losing continues, his approach will get frowned on. It’s a thin line between love and hate.
