by ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Chiefs have named Eric Bieniemy as the team’s new offensive coordinator and assistant head coach.
The sides agreed to a two-year deal that includes “a title promotion, a contractual structure” and a pay raise, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Bieniemy spent Friday talking with current Washington aides and is expected to be in Washington for an introductory news conference next week, according to sources.
Bieniemy spent the past five seasons as the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, helping oversee an offense that led to two Super Bowl championships — including one this past weekend.
But he wasn’t the main hero on coach Andy Reid’s team. In Washington, Bieniemy will completely dominate the offense and call plays.
Bieniemy replaces Scott Turner, who was fired on January 10 after three seasons. During those three years combined, Washington ranked 27th in yards per game and 28th in points per game. Last season, the Chiefs were 20th in yards and 26th in points.
Washington will enter a pivotal fourth season under head coach Ron Rivera. The Chiefs went a combined 22-27-1 in his first three seasons, and won the NFC East title with a 7-9 record in 2020. With the franchise for sale, the Chiefs would likely need a strong season. teams to continue.
Welcome, Eric!
Eric Bieniemy is our two time Super Bowl winning coordinator and our assistant head coach/OC
📰 https://t.co/CSFjuISHxb pic.twitter.com/HK4gZezYHr
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) February 18, 2023
Bieniemy has interviewed for several head coaching jobs over the past four seasons without receiving any offers. This year, he interviewed for the head coaching job of the Indianapolis Colts, but that job went to Shane Steichen.
“He’s so deserved in the past,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said before the Super Bowl. “He’s done everything the right way. He’s been a part of this offense and this team for a long time, everyone is accountable, creative to make plays for us. I don’t know why he’s not hired, but he is it was great for us.”
Tennessee also showed interest in Bieniemy for its offensive coordinator position, but the Titans never interviewed him and Tim Kelly promoted him to the position.
Bieniemy was not under contract with the Chiefs until 2023.
“Eric Bieniemy is great for us, and I think he’s great for the National Football League,” Reid told reporters the day after the Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in Super Bowl LVII. “I’m hoping he’ll have a chance to go somewhere and do his thing, where he can run the show and be Eric Bieniemy.”
Bieniemy coached Kansas City’s running backs from 2013 to ’17. He also spent five years as Minnesota’s running backs coach and one as an assistant head coach with the Vikings. He was Colorado’s offensive coordinator from 2011 to ’12.
He played 10 seasons in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals and Eagles.
