The Washington Commanders believed former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy would be the much-needed solution to revitalize their offense in 2023 in a season where Ron Rivera was coaching for his job.
Bieniemy helped Kansas City reach multiple Super Bowls but unlike many other champion offensive coordinators, he never got a head coaching position. This despite being a key cog in the ascension of the Chiefs to a dynasty.
“EB is going to be harsh on you,” Patrick Mahomes once said. “He’s going to really try and get the best out of you every single day. He’s going to hold you accountable when you don’t want to hold yourself accountable. (His coaching) made me a better player.”
Ultimately, he spent just one season as the Washington Commanders offensive coordinator. It did not go as hoped, as the team finished in last place in the NFC East at 4-13 with an offense that was 24th in the league in yards per game and 25th in points per game.
It was a far cry from his time as the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2018 to 2022.
Kansas City won two Lombardi Trophies, advanced to three Super Bowls and made the AFC Championship Game five times during that span as the gold standard of the NFL. It certainly helps having Patrick Mahomes under center, but that time made Bieniemy a household name after he was previously an assistant for Colorado, UCLA and the Minnesota Vikings.
Former Washington Commanders OC Eric Bieniemy Says He Chose To Leave Team
After Rivera was fired, there were questions about Bieniemy’s future in Washington once Dan Quinn was announced as the team’s head coach.
Quinn quickly brought in former Arizona Cardinals’ head coach Kliff Kingsbury as the team’s new offensive coordinator, but Bieniemy was still under contract and it was uncertain if he would remain in Washington in a new role or take a position somewhere else.
In Quinn’s opening press conference as the new coach of the Washington Commanders, he said he had conversations with Eric Bieniemy and highly respected the bright offensive mind, but noted he wouldn’t be working with him here.
That led many to believe Quinn made the decision to part ways with Bieniemy all together — and on Saturday — it was reported the longtime NFL offensive coordinator was taking a position with the UCLA Bruins new staff as the Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator.
Eric Bieniemy said he interviewed with other teams before ultimately landing at UCLA, although he did not disclose which teams and positions he interviewed for.
“I have had countless conversations and interviews with many teams and I have been applauded and lauded. I can’t say why certain decisions were or were not made but it had nothing to (do) with a lack of anything on my end,” Bieniemy continued. “My self-dignity, worth, integrity, personhood, manhood will never be questioned or compromised. It is not always about money, either. With everything in life, it is often all about timing.
But a surprising new report states that Bieniemy wanted to clear air about his departure from the Washington Commanders.
After accepting the UCLA job, he clarified in an email that he is doing so because he wants to and not because he was fired as the Washington offensive coordinator.
“I have no regrets with the Commanders,” Eric Bieniemy wrote. “Contrary to what some think and what has been put out in the media, I was not fired. I actually just chose not to stay. Learned a lot and that is always a good thing.”
This whole situation feels a bit odd and the need for him to publicly address his departure from the team — when they clearly hired a new offensive coordinator and the new head coach stated they wouldn’t be working together — feels a bit fishy.
