Commanders hire Chiefs' Bieniemy as offensive coordinator
The Washington Commanders are hiring Eric Bieniemy as their new offensive coordinator, sources told theScore's NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
The Commanders confirmed the appointment Saturday, announcing Bieniemy would also become their assistant head coach.
He received a multi-year contract that contains an annual pay increase, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.
The 53-year-old spent the last five seasons of a 10-year run with the Kansas City Chiefs as the team's offensive coordinator, overseeing one of the NFL's most potent scoring units.
The Commanders identified Bieniemy as their top candidate early in the search process, sources told Schultz, but they were required to wait until the end of the Chiefs' playoff run. Head coach Ron Rivera met with Bieniemy over a two-day period this week following Kansas City's Super Bowl win.
The Louisiana native received several interviews for head coaching positions over the last few years and was recently considered a candidate for the Indianapolis Colts job before the club hired Shane Steichen.
Bieniemy has 15 years of NFL experience working for the Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings. His contract with Kansas City expired at the end of the 2022 season.
The Commanders ended former coordinator Scott Turner's three-year tenure by firing him in January after the team finished 20th in total offense (330.3) in 2022. The unit remains in flux after the team acquired Carson Wentz last offseason and started three different passers last campaign. Sam Howell is currently projected to start in 2023.
Kansas City's offense has averaged 406.2 yards and 30.1 points per game over the past five years with Bieniemy as coordinator. The Chiefs finished last season first in passing yards (297.8), points per game (29.2), and first downs (408).
A former NFL running back, Bieniemy racked up 2,812 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns throughout nine seasons as a player, splitting his time between the San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Philadelphia Eagles.