Travis Kelce Thinks Eric Bieniemy Should Be Commanders’ Next Head Coach: ‘Give My Guy a Chance’

When it comes to who the Washington Commanders should hire to fill their head coaching vacancy after firing Ron Rivera, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce thinks the choice is simple:

Unsurprisingly, Kelce believes former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator, and current Washington OC, Eric Bieniemy should be next.

"Let's f---ing go, man, the Washington Fighting Bieniemys," Kelce said on this week's episode of New Heights when asked by a fan if he thought his former OC would get a shot. "Give my guy a chance... I think they should hire him."

Why that would be remains unclear. Under Bieniemy, Washington was ranked 24th in total offense through the 2023 season. Washington averaged 219.1 passing yards per game; ranked 18th. As for rushing, the Commanders ranked 27th with 93.6 yards per game.

Most worryingly, Washington gave up 65 sacks this season, ranked equal second-most in the NFL.

"I think he kinda proved that he can come out from under the helm of Andy Reid, and do great things being an offensive coordinator and calling plays and running a team," Kelce said.

"And I know EB, he gets the best out of everybody. He's one of the best coaches I've ever had. I think Commanders should give him a chance."

Before joining Washington's staff this season as assistant head coach/OC, Bieniemy spent five seasons as the Chiefs offensive coordinator and won two Super Bowls (LIV, LVII). He led Kansas City to a league-best offense in three of those seasons, and top-six during the other two years.

Bieniemy played in the NFL for nine years, including stints with the San Diego Chargers, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Eagles, before beginning his coaching career at the high school level in 2000.

He worked his way up the ranks, coaching collegiately at Colorado and UCLA until the Minnesota Vikings hired him as their running backs coach in 2005. Kelce's brother, Eagles center Jason Kelce, agreed, but noted that internal hires after the head coach is fired is not common practice in the NFL.

"I hope they do [give him a shot,]" Jason added. "Regardless of anything that happens, I think Eric has proven a lot over the last couple of years, especially this last year not being under [Reid]. Hopefully it's an opportunity here to finally get that head coaching role."

Earlier this season, the Commanders made changes on the defensive coaching staff, firing defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer.

Despite there being some tension between Bieniemy and his players during the preseason, with some struggling to accept his intense coaching style, Rivera kept Bieniemy around.

As it looks to restructure the franchise in the wake of Rivera's firing, Washington hired former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers and former Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman as advisors.

Some of the reported potential candidates for Rivera's replacement include Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn, Baltimore Ravens associate head coach Anthony Weaver and DC Mike McDonald, and Los Angeles Rams DC Raheem Morris.