Commanders Take Their Time in Hiring Head Coach, Leaving Fans Wondering About Eric Bieniemy
In a surprising turn of events, the Carolina Panthers have hired a new head coach before the Washington Commanders. The Commanders, the only NFL team without a head coach at the moment, seem to be taking their time in the hiring process. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that their top choices for the position are Dan Quinn, Aaron Glenn, and Anthony Weaver. However, with no other teams competing for a head coach, the Commanders are in no rush to make a decision.
This delay has left fans and analysts wondering why offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is not a front-runner for the job. Last year, Washington made a big deal about hiring him, treating his press conference like a head coaching hire. Bieniemy was brought in to revamp the offense and provide firepower for a team that had playoff potential. However, the defense performed poorly in the 2023 season, finishing 31st in Defensive DVOA. This drop in defensive performance might be why the Commanders are currently leaning towards defensive coordinators for the head coaching position.
On the offensive side, quarterback Sam Howell had a productive season but also threw a lot of interceptions. The offense finished 26th in DVOA and struggled to get the ball to star receiver Terry McLaurin consistently. Despite the struggles, Bieniemy managed to improve the team’s scoring average by half a point per game compared to the previous season.
The Commanders’ delay in hiring a head coach is especially puzzling considering the Senior Bowl, a critical scouting event, is taking place this week. Highly touted draft prospects are competing head-to-head in practice, and having a head coach in place would be beneficial for evaluating these players.
With the second overall pick in the draft, Washington has an opportunity to select a quarterback that Bieniemy can mold and potentially use for his next head coaching audition. However, it seems unlikely that Bieniemy will land the head coaching job with the Commanders. Perhaps a standout performance by rookie quarterback Drake Maye next season could change that.
As the Commanders continue their search for a head coach, fans are left waiting and wondering about the future of the team. While it’s important to find the right fit for the organization, the delay raises questions about the team’s direction and strategy moving forward. Only time will tell who will ultimately lead the Commanders on the sidelines next season.
