Commanders and Eric Bieniemy ‘are working on the specifics to close deal on becoming their OC’

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy interviewed with the Washington Commanders for the same position on Thursday and it seems to have gone well.

Reports from NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport say Bieniemy and the Commanders have ‘mutual interest’ in having him become their new OC.

Rapaport adds that he is the team’s top choice and that they’re working towards a deal that could become official on Friday.

While Bieniemy is more than qualified – in fact over qualified – for the position, it’s frustrating for many fans of his – who were hoping that he would get a well-earned promotion to a head coaching job.

Since the 2019 season, Bieniemy has had interviews and requests for interviews from the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, and Indianapolis Colts – but he’s never gotten the job.

Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is close to a deal with Washington for the same job

While this new opportunity could be successful for Bieniemy, it’s hard to see how this position would be an upgrade from the high-powered offense he ran in Kansas City for five seasons that produced two Super Bowl titles – including Super Bowl LVII just last Sunday.

It’s also tough to see how this team in transition – and with many questions to be answered on offense – could eventually land Bieniemy that head coaching job.

With the Arizona Cardinals filling the final coaching vacancy with Jonathan Gannon, there are no more open head coaching jobs available.

It also means that of the 32 head coaching positions in the NFL, only three head coaches are Black with one multiracial coach. 

One of those three is a new hire – with the Houston Texans hiring their third coach in three years with DeMeco Ryans. The others are Todd Bowles – going into his second season in charge of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who is the second longest tenured coach in the league. In addition, Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has a Black father.

Bieniemy is a very successful offensive mind who helped the Chiefs win two Super Bowl titles

However, despite his impressive qualifications, he’s been interviewed by 17 teams for a head coaching job – but has never received an offer

Bieniemy has been seen as a top candidate for a head coaching job for years, which has led many to accuse the NFL’s owners of racism.

To some, Bieniemy’s success is due largely to his talented quarterback and Kansas City’s decorated head coach, Andy Reid, while others point to Bieniemy’s masterful blocking schemes (the Chiefs didn’t yield a sack in the Super Bowl) and history of developing young players. 

More than 60 percent of NFL players are African American, but that diversity has not been reflected at the head-coaching level, where the league has long been criticized for its hiring practices.

The NFL has recently incentivized minority coaching hiring after previously establishing the ‘Rooney Rule’, requiring teams to interview minority candidates for top-level coaching and front-office positions.

In addition, the league and three of its teams are currently facing a class-action lawsuit from former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores alleging racial discrimination.

A number of fans and pundits have accused the league of racism

‘Eric Bieniemy has won two SBs as an OC but still can’t get a head coach gig,’ one fan tweeted. ‘Tell me the NFL isn’t inherently racist.’

‘5 straight AFC championship games,’ another tweet began. ‘3 Super Bowls and 2 Lombardi’s in that time. You telling me these White men getting HC jobs are better than Kansas City OC Eric Bieniemy?

‘White men that he defeats continue to get jobs before him.

‘THAT’S RACIST & SO IS THE NFL!’

‘Nobody hiring Bieniemy is (sic) gotta be a little racist,’ added another fan.

Some pointed to Reid’s reputation for play calling in Kansas City to explain NFL teams’ reluctance to hire Bieniemy, who isn’t known for making those decisions with the Chiefs

Some pointed to Reid’s reputation for play calling in Kansas City to explain NFL teams’ reluctance to hire Bieniemy, who isn’t known for making those decisions with the Chiefs. 

‘I have a sincere question,’ former Sports Illustrated reporter Jeff Pearlman asked on Twitter. ‘I think the NFL’s coaching structure is beyond disturbing. A league that’s 66% Black and one new white HC after another after another. But, in regards strictly to Bieniemy, is it not a fair point that he’s an OC who doesn’t actually call plays?’

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson and former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy, both of whom are white, did get top job offers after serving as Reid’s offensive coordinators. Neither are believed to have called plays while working with Reid.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter previously reported that Bieniemy is also a candidate for the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator position.