Washington Commanders' Eric Bieniemy 'Will Be A Great Head Coach', Says QB Sam Howell

The Washington Commanders have put out some mixed signals about coach Eric Bieniemy, but quarterback Sam Howell is clear in his opinion.

ASHBURN, Va. -- It's that time of year again and Washington Commanders assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is among the names floating around in future hire conversations.

While the current talk centers mostly around projections and rumor, the coaching carousel is going to start spinning soon and Commanders quarterback Sam Howell is certain there's a future head coach in the organization.

"For sure, I think Eric Bieniemy will be a great head coach," Howell told former Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III on his RG3 and the Ones YouTube show. "I've enjoyed working with him as a play caller and offensive coordinator. His ability to lead and his ability to relate to guys and his ability to get the best out of his players is what truly separates him as a coach, but he'll get his opportunity at some point. Not sure when, might be next year somewhere, might be in 10 years. But whenever he gets his opportunity, he'll definitely show people why he should be a head coach for sure. I'm definitely a big fan of his."

Washington Commanders assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy (left) and quarterback Sam Howell (right) / USA Today

From almost the beginning of his time on the ground with the team, many have wondered if Bieniemy's hard-nosed style would mix with this group of Commanders players who have gotten used to a more reserved tone under coach Ron Rivera and former offensive coordinator Scott Turner.

Not only did Bieniemy take over the Washington offense this year, he also took over much of the daily operations, which led to some complaints about days off and time management according to a recent ESPN report that Commander Country has since confirmed.

Regardless of the amount of grumbling about Bieniemy's style, Howell says the locker room is still pulling in the same direction and he believes he's surrounded by a group that has his back.

"Obviously it makes me appreciate the people I have around me and knowing that those guys always have my back," Howell told Griffin. "And ever since I've been here, I've always done everything I could to make those guys feel like I have their back as well and do everything I can to be the best teammate I can be, even when I wasn't playing, every single day. I'd do anything these guys ever needed. So it's just so much fun to see that in return. I think we have such a great team, such a great locker room, and the guys get along... People that come from other teams say how cool our locker room is and how cool it is that everyone's getting along. So we just gotta try to continue to build, try to continue to grow, and try to translate all that into more football wins."

Washington gets four more tries at putting some winning football together and provides some morsels of confidence to build on for the future. 

As the Commanders appear on the verge of sweeping changes some question whether or not Bieniemy will be a part of the future himself or if he'll be cut loose to pursue other opportunities.

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There's also a group that believes the organization could or even should make Bieniemy the next man to lead Washington into the future.

It would appear Howell would be on board, and those who have struggled to adapt would need to rely on the quarterback to continue having their back, as they continue to have his.