Commanders 2023 coaching grades: Eric Bieniemy and the offensive staff

Eric Bieniemy - Commanders OC

Apart from new ownership, no arrival was greeted with more enthusiasm from the fanbase than that of Eric Bieniemy. Surely, if anyone could breathe life into a moribund offense, it would be the man who helped build the Kansas City Chiefs juggernaut.

For the first few months of the season, Bieniemy lived up to those expectations. The offense was far from perfect. Sam Howell was sacked at a record pace. But the Washington Commanders' offense kept the team in games.

They scored more than 30 points in three of the first eight games - a mark they only hit one time in 2022. And then, the wheels came off.

Since a valiant 38-31 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in late October, the Commanders have averaged just 18 points over their last eight games. Almost a quarter of the points in those games came with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback.

So how do we assess Bieniemy?

He has created a more dynamic offense. But he has not been able to build on early success, and now Howell is backsliding. This cannot be blamed on injury - Washington has been rather lucky with injuries this season. This would appear to be a case of the rest of the league catching onto what Bieniemy was doing and shutting it down.

He has not been able to right the ship. Bieniemy remains a respected offensive mind. However, at this point, the implosion of Kansas City’s offense without him bolsters his resume more than what he has accomplished with the Commanders.

GRADE: B-