Answering the query as to why former Kansas Metropolis Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy should have that title and never be a present head coach has been the story of within the NFL since Rihanna blessed us along with her presence at Tremendous Bowl LVII and Patrick Mahomes gained his second championship — with Bieniemy because the offensive coordinator. However Andy Reid will get all of the credit score, proper? It was clear after this 12 months’s teaching carousel that one thing wanted to vary for Bieniemy. And after being launched because the Washington Commanders’ new offensive coordinator on Thursday, the conundrum surrounding why he works for Ron Rivera and isn’t one in every of his 31 NFL head-coaching colleagues solely grew in murkiness.
Sure, his rap sheet has been reported as a doable motive, however that hasn’t stopped different people with no pristine previous from being employed. Howdy City Meyer. There was additionally the bizarre, borderline-racist trope that he didn’t interview properly. The underbelly of that reads as if he’s not properly spoken, he can’t talk with these which might be in government roles in franchises. What a mind-numbing load of crap that at all times was. Keep in mind Eagles’ coach Nick Sirianni’s opening press convention in Philadelphia? And he led his staff to the Tremendous Bowl in 12 months No. 2. Bieniemy has been gerrymandered into changing into the poster boy (man) for the detrimental facet of the NFL’s hiring course of for head coaches.
The Beast of the East
Within the NFL’s offseason calendar, having a giant splash this early normally doesn’t happen. We usually should wait till free company begins, which is March 15 this 12 months, for these fireworks. But Bieniemy’s entrance into the nation’s capital addresses the weakest level on the worst staff within the NFC East. Regardless of challenges from the AFC North, Bieniemy’s addition to the NFC East confirms it’s nonetheless the strongest division within the NFL. If Washington’s offense improves even barely from final season, and with out Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke at quarterback, these likelihood is excessive, it’s a playoff staff. In truth, one play goes in another way in each video games in opposition to the Giants final season, the Commanders had been already a playoff staff with a crappy quarterback.
In a warfare between the AFC North and NFC East, you’ll be able to name it a push between the Eagles and Bengals. Each misplaced to the Chiefs by a discipline objective to finish their seasons. Dallas has a slight edge on Baltimore with out a wholesome Lamar Jackson. With him, it’s a push. The power of a whole division normally depends on depth. And the Steelers and Browns had been each stink monsters final season. The Giants and Commanders each confirmed indicators of promising futures. If Kenny Pickett is the very best consultant of that from the underside two AFC North groups, it doesn’t communicate properly to both’s long-term outlook.
Bieniemy was inside an offensive juggernaut in Kansas Metropolis. Too many cooks within the kitchen for all to share the spoils of a James Beard Award, particularly for these pesky line cooks. Now, Bieniemy is on an island in Washington. Ron Rivera is a defensive-minded head coach. He’s betting a renaissance for his keep atop the Commanders on the exploits of Bieniemy elevating Sam Howell to be the franchise’s first secure presence at quarterback since Mark Rypien. For those who rely Kirk Cousins, please shut up. He was at all times a mistake. So was Jason Campbell.
Requested a number of occasions on Thursday about whether or not his keep in Washington was solely to show whether or not he might run an offensive not round Any Reid in hopes of getting a head-coaching job, Bieniemy gave the one reply he might about how his ft had been set with the Commanders. Whereas I feel there’s some fact to having satisfaction in your employer and he genuinely needs to information one other group of younger gamers, there may be zero shot he leaves a better job with the Chiefs if an even bigger plan isn’t at play. A increase and extra accountability come together with the transfer to the NFC East and it might be the ultimate remaining holes on his resume to the place he might lastly run his personal staff. Then you definately keep in mind it’s the identical schmucks hiring for head coaches and so they could transfer the goalposts for Bieniemy once more. Within the meantime, all he can do is show why the NFL is so jagged by main Washington to deeper than the divisional playoffs for the primary time in over three a long time.Â
