Despite helping the Kansas City Chiefs to two Super Bowls and securing seven consecutive AFC West titles, Eric Bieniemy’s continued absence as a head coach remains a perplexing issue. Bieniemy’s stint as offensive coordinator with the Washington Commanders was cut short after just one season, terminated by coach Dan Quinn during his introductory news conference. But this shouldn’t case a shadow on his coaching skills. The prospect of Bieniemy returning to Washington seemed improbable after Kliff Kingsbury was appointed offensive coordinator on Sunday night, solidifying doubts about Bieniemy’s future with the Commanders.
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A year prior, Bieniemy encountered challenges landing a head coaching role in the NFL. His decision to join Washington as an offensive coordinator was viewed as an opportunity to showcase his coaching prowess away from the shadows of Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. However, skepticism surrounded the move due to the struggles of Washington’s quarterback, Sam Howell, who led the league in sacks taken and an even ratio of 21-21 touchdowns to interceptions.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs, from whom Bieniemy departed, returned to the Super Bowl. However, a noticeable decline in offensive performance compared to the previous season showed. Last year Kansas City had secured victories with average to above-average wide receiver play. This season saw regression in that area.
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Despite reaching the Super Bowl, that could be an issue moving forward. Even though Bieniemy didn’t directly call plays, his influence on the team’s offensive strategies was evident, underscoring the significant impact of his absence on Kansas City’s overall performance. In 2022, the Chiefs had the number one offense. This year they were ranked 9th.
Moreover, one cannot overlook the lack of discipline and errors that have plagued the team this year. Kansas City has frequently undermined itself, with penalties putting the offense in difficult situations, and notable mistakes surfacing at crucial moments in games. Perhaps Eric Bieniemy’s departure this past off season is more significant than previously thought. Most of the OC openings are filled. One of the most successful offensive minds may have to sit out for a year.
