Jul 27, 2023; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy waves to fans while walking to the fields prior to day two of Commanders training camp at OrthoVirginia Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is once again drawing interest for a potential head coaching job.
Bieniemy is “expected to be on the short list” of the Atlanta Falcons should they ultimately fire current head coach Arthur Smith, USA Today’s Cam Marino reported on Thursday.
Source: Commanders OC Eric Bieniemy is expected to be on the Falcons’ immediate short list if they have a head coaching vacancy at the end of the season.
— Cam Marino (@MarinoNFL) January 4, 2024
Bieniemy is no stranger to such speculation. The 54-year-old coach was constantly linked to head coaching vacancies during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs. He never landed a head coach job and ultimately left to be the Commanders’ offensive coordinator.
Amid a middling 7-9 campaign heading into Week 18, the Falcons are said to be leaning heavily toward letting Smith go.
Smith has been criticized by some this season for underutilizing the Falcons’ top offensive threats in running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts.
Bieniemy has had experience handling an offense with high-end offensive weapons. He won two Super Bowls while serving as the offensive coordinator for the Chiefs from 2018 to 2022. Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill need no further introduction.
However, Bieniemy has struggled to attain much success in a more involved OC role with the Commanders. Bieniemy himself seemingly gave up on Washington’s young QB Sam Howell amid their team’s NFL-worst 7-game losing streak.
The Commanders are one of 10 NFL teams this season that has averaged under 20 points per game through Week 17. The team largely ranks in the middle of the pack in most offensive categories, while also being tied for 2nd worst in the NFL in interceptions thrown (19).