Eric Bieniemy, the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, is once again attracting attention as a possible head coach.
According to Cam Marino of USA Today on Thursday, Bieniemy is “expected to be on the short list” of the Atlanta Falcons in the event that head coach Arthur Smith is fired.
Bieniemy is used to this kind of conjecture. During his tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs, the 54-year-old coach was frequently mentioned in relation to head coaching openings. He eventually left to become the offensive coordinator with the Commanders after failing to get a head coaching position.
As we approach Week 18 of a mediocre 7-9 season, there are strong rumors that the Falcons will release Smith.
This season, tight end Kyle Pitts, wide receiver Drake London, and running back Bijan Robinson have all been criticized by some for not being used to their full potential by Smith.
Bieniemy has managed an offensive team with top-tier offensive weaponry before. From 2018 to 2022, he led the Chiefs as its offensive coordinator and helped them win two Super Bowls. Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Patrick Mahomes don’t need an introduction.
Bieniemy hasn’t had much luck, either, in a more involved OC role with the Commanders. Amidst the NFL-worst 7-game losing skid for Washington, Bieniemy himself appeared to have given up on the team’s young quarterback, Sam Howell.
As of Week 17, the Commanders are among the ten NFL clubs this season with an average point total of less than 20 per contest. In most offensive metrics, the team is in the middle of the pack; yet, in terms of interceptions thrown (19), they are tied for second worst in the NFL.
Falcons firing Arthur Smith imminent? – ‘Shakiest of grounds’
There’s still a little opportunity for the Atlanta Falcons to qualify for the postseason. With two games remaining in the regular season, a win over the New Orleans Saints and a defeat to the struggling Carolina Panthers for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 7-9 Falcons still have a chance to finish as the NFC South division champion and advance to the postseason. The Falcons should be playing with a strong feeling of urgency, especially because it appears that head coach Arthur Smith’s job security could be determined by a win or loss.
The NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo claims that the Falcons head coach isn’t exactly on good terms with the organization’s upper management. Smith, who has led the Falcons for the previous three seasons, might be out of a job if the squad fails to produce against the Saints.
In an interview with the NFL Report podcast, Garafolo stated, “I think Arthur Smith is on the weakest of grounds.” It feels like it might be time for Arthur Smith, who lost a lot of money on Desmond Ridder this season, if they don’t do well against the New Orleans Saints.
Of course, Arthur Smith is not solely to blame for the Falcons’ problems, but it is understandable why the team is losing patience with him. The Falcons have finished with a 7-10 record the last two seasons; if they fall to the Saints on Sunday afternoon, they will have had the same record for the previous three seasons. The mediocrity ingrained in their brand of consistency is not exceptional, but the consistency itself is.
In the NFL, things may change very quickly. The Falcons aren’t planning to replace coaches anytime soon, according to statements made by Arthur Blank in the past. But when, if not now? In any case, a victory might help Smith hold onto his position until the very end of the season, whenever that is, but if they don’t make an unlikely trip to the Super Bowl, there might be significant changes ahead.
Garafolo continued, “The owner, Arthur Blank, did indicate that he’s leaning, or he was leaning, toward keeping him. However, that was a few weeks ago.”
If all goes well for the Falcons this weekend, supporters will be waiting anxiously.
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