Commanders' Curtis Samuel 'Fits In Very Well,' Says Ron Rivera

Washington Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel can thrive in coach Eric Bieniemy's offense.

Few players may be poised to thrive in Eric Bieniemy's offense like Washington Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel. 

Samuel showed his ability to catch and run the ball in 2022. With Bieniemy now calling the plays, Washington head coach Ron Rivera thinks Samuel will mesh right in with the new offense.

"I think it fits in very well," Rivera said. "Go back and get an opportunity to look at the stuff that they did in Kansas City and look at how creative and inventive they have been over the years with the receivers that they've had." 

Bieniemy was the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2018 to 2022 and won two Super Bowls in that span. 

Samuel played in every game for the first time since 2019, and lived up to Washington's expectations when they gave him a 3-year $34.5 million deal in 2021. The seventh-year wide receiver had 64 catches for 656 and four touchdowns. On the ground, Samuel ran for 187 yards and a score in 2022. 

Samuel missed most of the 2021 season due to multiple injuries. 

Getting the ball to Samuel quicker and with room to run may emphasized even more this season under Bieniemy and a refocused Rivera. 

"Everything from running the jet sweeps to going vertical to working underneath, and the coverages against the coverages," Rivera said. "You know, it's about getting the ball into the hands as quick as possible in as much space as possible.”

With Samuel and running back Antonio Gibson, Washington has two guys who can do it all on offense. If Bieniemy can use the versatility of both players to the best of its ability, the Commanders offense will be a pain for opposing defenses. 

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