Schultz: Eric Bieniemy Interviewed for Commanders HC Job amid NFL Coaching Rumors

The Washington Commanders interviewed offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy as part of their coaching search, according to Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz.

Schultz reported Bieniemy presented an "excellent" and "highly detailed" vision when speaking to team officials.

Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper provided more context, writing he's "believed to be a viable candidate for the Commanders job and his interview was not simply a courtesy because he was a member of [Ron] Rivera's final staff."

Leaving the Kansas City Chiefs and joining Washington's staff was a lateral move in terms of Bieniemy's role, but he gained the opportunity to become a full-time play-caller. Between that and getting out from Andy Reid's shadow, the Commanders presented him with the chance to prove himself as a worthy head-coaching candidate once and for all.

Midway through the season, it looked like Bieniemy was doing just that. Through 10 starts, Sam Howell was averaging nearly 280 passing yards per game, and a lot of his success was owed to the offensive coordinator.

The wind may have come out of Bieniemy's sails thanks to Washington's dreadful finish. The team lost its final eight games.

When the dust settled, the Commanders ranked 24th in yardage (312.8 per game) and 25th in scoring (19.4 per game), and they were 26th in offense DVOA (defense-adjusted yards over average), per FTN Fantasy.

Along with Howell's steady regression, running back Brian Robinson Jr. and wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson all saw their production decline compared to 2022.

The Associated Press' Stephen Whyno reported on Jan. 9 it's no sure thing that Bieniemy will stay on if the Commanders hire an outside candidate as their next coach.

"Commanders players didn't seem to be looking for what Bieniemy gave them this season," Whyno wrote. "Questions about Bieniemy in recent days brought varying degrees of compliments for his consistency as a person but more criticism than praise from inside the locker room."

Regardless of how good Bieniemy's interview went, it may not be enough to outweigh the questions raised by the performance of Washington's offense.