Eric Bieniemy faces another unfair hurdle with Commanders’ toxic culture

Eric Bieniemy was already facing multiple hurdles to be a head coach but now the toxic culture in Washington is going to be another.

Let’s jump ahead, if we can. Some points have already been established.

By now, we should all agree that Eric Bieniemy should be an NFL head coach, an opportunity he first deserved at least a couple of years ago. All of the excuses drummed up around Bieniemy’s continued missed opportunities rang hollow even in the moment. Looking back, they were even less substantive than we thought.

For those who are hanging on (for some stubborn reason) to the idea that Bieniemy should have called plays (despite lots o’ white options never having to do so), should have been a better interview (as if his demeanor turned dark behind closed doors), should have exhibited more personal ownership of the Chiefs’ offense (and, y’know, its dynasty status), or shouldn’t have had some run-ins with the law (from decades ago), I don’t know what else to say. You’ve chosen your corner and the conversation is over.

For the rest of us, however, the story of Bieniemy has taken an even more unfortunate turn—and this one, like so many others, has nothing to do with him.

On Tuesday, news dropped that some minority owners of the Washington Commanders have blown the whistle on majority owner Daniel Snyder’s “financial misconduct”, the latest bombshell (a secret and illegal $55M loan that was allegedly covered up by NFL brass as well) in a series of toxic explosions having the once proud franchise. These days, FedExField is known more for the disgusting and aberrant behavior housed in its offices than for any actual game played in its center—from its sexist culture to its “two sets of books“.

Back to Bieniemy. In case you missed it, the former offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs traded in his 10 years of experience with the team and five years as an OC to take the same job with a loftier title (and likely better pay) with Washington. More columns have been written about the unfair nature of this path, but it’s the road taken and nothing more can be done (or said) here.

But if you already believed Bieniemy’s route to be an unfair one (you should), then this latest chapter is only even more so. In the midst of what should be an exciting part of the calendar for Commanders fans, with an exciting new coaching hire and free agency coming up, Snyder has taken center ring once again, this time with more allegations, more fraudulent activity, more of his poisonous workplace culture exposed.

Think of the trade Bieniemy has made at this point. Trust and communication are two of the vital pillars for any healthy organization, and the Chiefs have enjoyed the fruits of a wonderfully healthy workplace culture for the last 10 years. There are clear channels of communication and oft-demonstrated trust at work between all parties responsible for the on-field, public-facing product. The fans participate in this culture with phrases like “In Veach We Trust”, the outcome of a greater organizational whole that operates with integrity and excellence.

Even if Bieniemy wants to add excellence in Washington, even if he walks into FedExField with as much integrity as he can muster on any given day, what chance does he have to really change things there? While there’s some level of control over what happens on the field, the truth is that success begins in the offseason approach, in open communication channels, and in a healthy culture that players and staff members want to join.

It’s frustrating knowing that Bieniemy already had to take an unjust path to ultimately try to achieve his dream of leading an NFL team of his own, but now he’s gotta wade through toxic terrain to get there. It’s Wesley learning he’s gotta go through the fire swamp to get to Buttercup when the journey was already arduous enough. Bieniemy deserves better but that’s been true for the last four years. What’s another hurdle?