NFL players love to talk about accountability. Players often say all the right things about coaches holding them accountable. Since the Washington Commanders hired Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach in February, accountability has been a popular word.
Bieniemy said players should expect to be held accountable. For Washington, that was music to the ears of many players, such as wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. Other offensive players and defensive leaders like Jonathan Allen have praised the energy Bieniemy has brought to practice.
During one of Washington’s OTAs, Bieniemy got after quarterback Sam Howell for not pursuing the defender after an interception. Bieniemy wasn’t upset with Howell for the interception, but he wanted to see Howell hustle to the defensive player once he was picked off.
On Wednesday, during day two of the Commanders’ minicamp, Bieniemy was not pleased with his offense, ordering the entire starting unit off the field after a fumble.
Not a good ending to the 11 v 11 period for the first team offense.
Sam Howell drops the shotgun snap and Eric Bieneimy let’s him hear about it.
“Everybody off! Give me the twos! We gonna do it right!”
— Lynnell Willingham (@Nell_BTP) June 7, 2023
After practice, Dotson spoke to reporters and, with a smile on his face, praised Bieniemy.
“It’s awesome to have someone who holds you to such a high standard,” Dotson said per Zach Selby of commanders.com.
No one criticizes former offensive coordinator Scott Turner, but things are different, much different, with Bieniemy, and every player has embraced him.
Veteran left tackle Charles Leno Jr. also dished out praise for Bieniemy.
“He’s holding us accountable,” Leno said. “That’s the No. 1 thing you want as a player. We want to be great.”
