Update: Interview continues into Day 2
That #Commander keep meeting up with #Head OC Eric Bieniemy stayed up late as the two sides – who shared common interests – discussed the potential for a partnership, per the source. There is still a lot to sort out as far as philosophy, structure, staffing. But Bieniemy remains a prime candidate
—Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 16, 2023
UPDATE: Commander interview with Eric Bieniemy for OC job finished this afternoon, per source. I was told it “goes well”. Bieniemy had a full day at the park and dinner with Ron Rivera again tonight. The interview will continue tomorrow. @wusa9 #HTTC pic.twitter.com/j5AilT9HX0
— Darren M. Haynes (@DarrenMHaynes) February 17, 2023
Eric Bieniemy becomes the 8th, and likely final, candidate to be interviewed for the job of Commander Washington’s open offensive coordinator. He had dinner with HC Ron Rivera, GM Martin Mayhew and others last night, and will be having his official interview at team headquarters later today. Washington is expected to make a strong push to convince Bieniemy to leave Andy Reid and the Chiefs, and take over the Commanders offense that has been run by former OC Scott Turner during Rivera’s three seasons here.
OC Chief Eric Bieniemy met with the Commanders last night for dinner, according to sources. The formal interview for their OC position took place today. Confidence is Washington wants this resolved soon. He is a very strong candidate for the position.
—Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) February 16, 2023
Eric Bieniemy has been the Kansas City Chiefs OC for the last 5 seasons, and helped them win their second Super Bowl in four years on Sunday against the Eagles. He had future Hall of Fame QB Patrick Mahomes throughout his entire run as Reid’s right-hand man, something every OC in the NFL would love. History Bieniemy has worked with running backs, and he was coach of the Chiefs RB before Matt Nagy left to take the job as head coach of the Bears in 2018. Bieniemy signed a 1-year contract to return to the Chiefs last year, and, if he takes the job elsewhere , will likely be replaced by Nagy, who is back on the Chiefs staff.
Ron Rivera wants the search for his next OC to be completed this weekend, and with Bieniemy’s interview finally underway, there’s a good chance it will. Washington also interviewed former Ravens OC Greg Roman this week. They had requested an interview after he had stepped down, but it was unknown why it had taken so long to arrange it. Roman has yet to conduct interviews with other teams.
Eric Bieniemy will be Rivera’s highest profile signing, and will join a team that has many question marks going into a new league year next month. The Washington possession situation looms over next season, and has been raised by potential OC candidates. If the team is sold this year, Ron Rivera’s seat will likely be very hot, and there are already stories from Broncos HC Sean Payton that a potential buyer for the team has approached him to replace Rivera.
There are also big questions at the QB and on the offensive line. Rivera said that the team intends to field Sam Howell going into the season as a QB1, but there will be competition and he will have to earn the position going into the season. Rivera doesn’t seem interested in using the expensive veteran QB through free agency or trading lines again after Ryan Fitzpatrick and Carson Wentz’s experiments fell through. Sam Howell started one game last season, a Week 18 win over the Dallas Cowboys that saw him go 11 for 19 for 169 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT through the air, and 35 yards and a TD on the field.