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When the Washington Commanders hired Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator away from the Kansas City Chiefs in February, they gave him complete autonomy of the offense. He also received the assistant head coach title, which head coach Ron Rivera felt Bieniemy deserved.
“I don’t believe you give the assistant head coach title, and it is gratuitous,” Rivera said Wednesday. “I mean when I was in Carolina, and I gave it to Steve Wilks, Steve did a lot of this stuff too as well. I’ve been holding it for a while here, and then when the opportunity to give it to Eric and again to make sure it’s something that’s not just gratuitous, it’s not just a title, but it’s a working title, and he’s doing those things, and he’s got those responsibilities. I think he relishes it. I mean, he’s one of those guys that very few people are gonna outwork, and he works very hard at what he’s doing, and he’s developing his way of doing it.”
Early on, Bieniemy has made his presence felt this spring with the Commanders, bringing a different energy to practice and getting on players, such as quarterback Sam Howell and running back Antonio Gibson.
While Bieniemy is front and center among Washington’s offensive coaching staff, the entire group looks much different in 2023. The only coaches returning in the same roles are running backs coach Randy Jordan, assistant running backs coach Jennifer King and assistant tight ends coach Todd Storm.
However, Storm is among those who will have an increased role in 2023. The current tight ends coach, Juan Castillo, is best known for his work as Andy Reid’s longtime offensive line coach in Philadelphia. While Castillo will still hold the title of TEs coach, Storm will see more responsibility in 2023, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.
Additionally, we know last year’s assistant offensive line coach, Travelle Wharton, will eventually be the new offensive line coach once Washington’s ownership situation is settled. Rivera said as much recently. Castillo will help Wharton out for the time being.
Assisting Storm is Ken Zampese, the quarterbacks coach from the past three seasons. Zampese was re-assigned as a senior offensive advisor/game management coach in the offseason under Bieniemy.
Tavita Pritchard replaced Zampese as QBs coach. Former veteran NFL wide receiver Bobby Engram replaced Drew Terrell as wide receivers coach.
We mentioned Castillo as a potential replacement for John Matsko as the offensive line coach when the team made a change in March. As it turns out, he will assist Wharton. It’s not known if these coaching changes are only for the offseason or will carry into the 2023 NFL season.