Commanders Coach Eric Bieniemy: Biggest X-Factor?
Eric Bieniemy is now the leading man of the Washington Commanders offense as he has taken over from Scott Turner.
Last season, the Commanders had the 24th-ranked offense in football (averaging 18.9 points per game), hence why Washington wanted a coordinator of Bieniemy's pedigree.
With his resume speaking for itself in Kansas City and his ability to consistently put players into winning positions, Bieniemy's appointment in Washington naturally created a buzz.
Such is his superb offensive mind, CBS Sports has named Bieniemy as the team's biggest X-Factor entering next season.
"Bieniemy has coordinated the league's best offense for the past five years," CBS Sports writes. "He no longer has Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid to count on, but there is some talent on hand in Washington. How much can he get out of it? And can he use whatever he does get as a springboard to finally getting the head-coaching opportunity he long since should have been offered?"
Having a second-year quarterback who has one regular season start to his name in Sam Howell isn't ideal, but Bieniemy has the know-how to make it work.
He also has weapons in Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and running back Brian Robinson who will be behind a better offensive line than last season.
There is a lot of hope for what Bieniemy can bring to this Commanders offense and although the bar isn't exactly set too high to improve on last season's efforts, the former Chiefs coordinator will want his unit humming at the start of the season.
There is a lot of "ifs" when it comes to Washington, but Bieniemy has the skins on the wall as coordinator and the weapons at his disposal to put this team right in the thick of the NFC East conversation.
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