A longstanding question since after the 2019 season across the NFL: Will Eric Bieniemy ever become a head coach?
He’s won two Super Bowls while helping orchestrate one of the league’s most dynamic offenses in the Kansas City Chiefs. Bieniemy has since bolstered his résumé with the work he’s done with the Washington Commanders and without Kansas City HC Andy Reid by his side.
But amid growing speculation that the Commanders will move on from HC Ron Rivera after Week 18 on Sunday, Bieniemy’s chances of head coaching are reintensifying. The offensive coordinator addressed his coaching future again on Wednesday.
Eric Bieniemy Opens Up About His 2024 Possibilities
Bieniemy took to the podium to address the media on Thursday — the designated day when coordinators talk to reporters.
Rather than address any type of approach the Commanders have for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Bieniemy got asked a familiar question he’s been given before, “How do you shield yourself from the talk of being a possible future head coach?”
“You live in the moment. The only thing I get worried about and control is today,” Bieniemy said in response. “Right now, having this press conference with you guys and having plus spending this moment with you, but we go back inside and watch tape of practice and continue preparation for red zone. So that’s where my focus is. You can only live in the now.”
Bieniemy continued with this message, “You can live in the now. You can’t worry about tomorrow. You can take care of tomorrow when tomorrow gets here,” he said.
Eric Bieniemy on the future: You can only live in the now pic.twitter.com/nsgI5Q2jte
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 4, 2024
Is Bieniemy Expected To Be a Top Candidate This Time? Insider Weighs In
In scrutinizing his 2023 work in D.C., Bieniemy hasn’t realistically matched the uncanny production of his Chiefs days.
However, he’s done wonders with Sam Howell.
As a first-year starter, Howell ascended to his first career 3,000-yard season by hitting 3,793 yards. Howell also threw 20 touchdowns while compiling a completion rate of 63.1%.
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And Howell has accomplished those feats by not only taking in Bieniemy’s coaching but has taken a whopping 61 sacks in ’23.
PFN’s NFL insider Adam Caplan is one who speaks highly of the job Bieniemy has done in his first season away from KC.
“The former NFL running back has done an excellent job of calling plays in his first year doing so. Eric Bieniemy, a long-time coordinator with the Kansas City Chiefs, was heavily involved with game planning, but head coach Andy Reid has been their primary play-caller since he took over in 2013,” Caplan wrote.
Caplan adds that the work he’s done with Howell cements his case as a potential head coach.
“While the Commanders are not a winning team at this point, it’s hard to argue with his success in developing first-year starting QB Sam Howell,” Caplan said.
Bieniemy may not be considered the No. 1 name among head coaching wish lists. However, CBS Sports HQ NFL insider Josina Anderson mentioned his name as a possibility for the open Los Angeles Chargers position.
“Some early names surfacing around the HC vacancy at this preliminary stage include Dan Quinn, Eric Bienemy, Jim Harbaugh & possibly Bill Belichick — who all have extensive postseason and/or Super Bowl experience,” Anderson shared on New Year’s Day.
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