Report: Washington Commanders interviewed OC Eric Bieniemy for head coach

The Washington Commanders have reportedly interviewed offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy for the open head coaching job. A popular name during the last few coaching search cycles, Bieniemy has only completed one interview so far this offseason, according to PFT.

The orchestrator of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning offenses served as offensive coordinator/assistant head coach under Ron Rivera this season. A former star for the Colorado Buffaloes, Bieniemy was a second-round draft pick in the NFL, playing for the Chargers, Bengals and Eagles during his on-field career. After retiring, he moved into coaching, including at his alma mater. He coached running backs at Colorado, UCLA, for the Minnesota Vikings and Chiefs.

With the Commanders this season, Bieniemy coached the offense to a 25th-place finish in points per game with 19.4, 24th in total yards and 26th in rushing yards. Second-year quarterback Sam Howell had 21 touchdown passes and 21 interceptions while throwing for 3,946 yards.

Team owner Josh Harris has hired two prominent executives to help his group search for a new head coach. Those executives are former Warriors GM Bob Myers and former Vikings GM Rick Spielman. The team also hired new general manager Adam Peters last week.

Along with Bieniemy, the Commanders have or will interview Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Rams coordinator Raheem Morris, and Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, among other highly sought-after assistants.

Commanders part ways with Ron Rivera after four seasons

The 4-13 Washington Commanders chose to part ways with head coach Ron Rivera after four seasons. With new leadership in place, the Commanders will now begin the hunt for a coach to lead the team into a new era.

Rivera, 62, had been on the hot seat with Washington having dropped seven games in a row after a 4-5 start. The Dallas Cowboys made it eight straight in the season finale Sunday with a 38-10 win. Rivera has been at the helm in D.C. since the 2020 season, when he was hired to replace Jay Gruden. The Commanders captured an NFC East title in Rivera’s inaugural season, albeit with a 7-9 record. Since then, Washington has gone 19-31 with zero playoff appearances.

Prior to joining the Commanders, Rivera spent nine seasons (2011-19) as head coach of the Carolina Panthers. Carolina went 76-63 under Rivera, winning three NFC South titles and coming just short of winning Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos.