Rumor: Washington Commanders' Offensive Coordinator To Replace New England Patriots' Bill Belichick?

Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy could be on the short list for the New England Patriots if Bill Belichick leaves this offseason.

The New England Patriots could be looking for their first coach in the new millennium with reports surfacing that Bill Belichick and the team will part ways at the end of the season.

While Patriots defensive coordinator and former linebacker Jerod Mayo is the betting favorite to succeed Belichick, there's a possibility that the team could look towards an offensive coach to lead the rebuild. Enter Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

No doubt the Patriots - in the middle of a historically horrible season in which they've twice been shut out at home - need fresh input on the offensive side of the ball.

Eric Bieniemy / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Bieniemy, 54, has a strong resume to be a head coach in the NFL. He has been a top candidate for roles in the past few years, but has always been the bridesmaid.

Bieniemy went on to play four seasons as a running back with the San Diego Chargers (1991-94) before another four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals (1995-98) and one final run with the Philadelphia Eagles (1999). Then, he went straight into coaching in the high school and college ranks before a stint with the Minnesota Vikings from 2006-10, where he coached future Hall-of-Famer Adrian Peterson as he was entering the league.

After two years returning to his college alma mater, the Colorado Buffaloes, as an offensive coordinator, Bieniemy joined the Kansas City Chiefs under Andy Reid ... first as a running backs coach, and then promoted to offensive coordinator in 2018, the first year Patrick Mahomes was a full-time starter.

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Bieniemy engineered the offense to a pair of Super Bowl victories before joining the Commanders this offseason in the same role.

While the Commanders haven't enjoyed the same kind of success that the Chiefs have, former fifth-round pick Sam Howell has emerged as a potential franchise quarterback, and Bieniemy deserves a lot of credit for that.

With the Patriots also possibly looking for a new quarterback this offseason, pairing him with a coach that has a great track record with that could be the right move for New England.

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