Eric Bieniemy has ‘brought culture’ to Washington Commanders
After ten seasons in Kansas City, Eric Bieniemy will be calling the plays as the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator this season. He spent the previous five seasons as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, winning two Super Bowls in that span. Head coach Andy Reid had control of the offensive play calling, but Bieniemy was integral to their offensive success while Reid helped him progress as a coach altogether.
The Commanders are led by a defensively-minded head coach in Ron Rivera, implying that Eric Bieniemy will have complete control of the team’s offense in a way he never could in Kansas City.
Commanders wide receiver and 2022 first-round selection, Jahan Dotson, has expressed his excitement about Washington’s new offensive coordinator.
“I feel like he’s brought culture to our team,” he said, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. “He’s brought a sense of energy, a sense of urgency. It’s been really good just being able to learn from him and just get familiar with the things he wants us to do and the things we want to do.”
Jahan Dotson: “Coach Bieniemy, I feel like he’s brought culture to our team. He’s brought a sense of energy, a sense of urgency. It’s been really good just being able to learn from him and just get familiar with the things he wants us to do and the things we want to do …”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) June 3, 2023
There is no doubt that having a caliber of offensive coordinator like Bieniemy makes Washington’s offense much more dangerous. Young playmakers such as Terry McLaurin, Dotson and Brian Robinson demonstrated a lot of offensive potential in 2022, posting an 8-8-1 record in a very difficult NFC East division.
The organization made headlines this offseason after owner Dan Snyder finally agreed to sell the team. This, along with the arrival of Eric Bieniemy, potentially signifies brighter days for long-suffering Washington fans.
The only real question surrounding the team’s offense is whether or not their quarterback can handle the job.
Commanders will go as far as Sam Howell takes them
On both offense and defense, the Washington Commanders have a fairly well-rounded team. Their biggest weakness, which is consistent quarterback play, has been a problem for multiple seasons; 12 different quarterbacks have started for the Commanders in the past five seasons alone.
The team is now pinning its hopes on their 2022 fifth-round selection, Sam Howell. Washington is also hoping that Eric Bieniemy can have a similar effect on Howell the way he did with league and Super Bowl MVP, Patrick Mahomes.
Howell, like Mahomes, spent his first season in the NFL on the bench. A fact that many believe contributed positively to Mahomes’ immediate success in the league.
Expecting Howell to throw for over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in his first year as a starter like Mahomes is crazy. Having success with multiple offensive weapons, a solid head coach and Bieniemy is not. Howell will have little room for excuses if he cannot produce.
The Commanders are one of the most intriguing teams heading into the 2023 season. How they perform with Sam Howell as their starting quarterback is definitely something to pay attention to.
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