Four months after being hired by the Commanders, ex-Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy names one key difference between the two teams.
Off the top of our heads, we can think of a few differences between the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Commanders. Quarterback, coaching, divisional record, playoff record, Super Bowl wins, and just overall vibes. The whole Dan Snyder financial scandal leaves a bad taste in our mouths, while watching Andy Reid talk about craving a hamburger after a game just makes us love the man even more.
Ex-Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy recently transplanted from the 2022 Super Bowl champs to arguably the worst franchise in the NFC East, and he shared some thoughts about what makes his former team different from his current one.
Bieniemy, who helped the Chiefs win two Super Bowls in his five years as offensive coordinator, accepted a slightly higher position at Washington earlier this offseason in which he would serve as OC and assistant head coach.
Having adjusted to the new scenery, Bieniemy discussed the one thing that stuck out like a sore thumb on his team, and it's exactly what you would expect.
"When you've been in a place for 10 years, you have a tendency to take certain things for granted. This has helped me to go back and dot all the I's and cross all the T's."
Commanders' Eric Bieniemy excited to flex his muscles in new position
Basically, it's not taking the greatness of Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid (along with other key Chiefs members) for granted. The training wheels are off, and Bieniemy is locked into a two-year deal to build his own offense in Washington and hopefully contend in the playoffs next season.
The bitterness of not securing a head coaching position no doubt still lingers in the back of Bieniemy's throat, but now that he has stepped out of Reid's shadow, he can flex his muscles a little more and prove all his doubters wrong.
His predecessor, Scott Turner, led the Commanders to three measly seasons in which Washington ranked 27th in yards per game and 28th in points per game. Improving both the passing attack and rushing game will be Bieniemy's biggest challenge in 2023 considering the pieces he has to work with. Sam Howell, Jahan Dotson, Brian Robinson, and other youngsters have solid upside — which you could say about virtually every semi-rebuilding team in the league.
It's Bieniemy's job to squeeze every ounce of talent out of every single one of his players, something he didn't have to do back in Kansas City. The superpower juices of Mahomes have oozed pretty naturally in the last half decade.
Tactically, going from Mahomes to Sam Howell must feel like day and night, but what did Bieniemy expect? Another fast-tracked escalator ride to the Super Bowl? In 2023, heading into a pivotal fourth season under Ron Rivera, the Commanders need to take off, and Bieniemy needs to quickly figure out how to more or less pilot the plane.