LeSean McCoy, Jamaal Charles disagree on Eric Bieniemy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BVM) – Former All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy caused quite the stir on social media after his take on current Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. McCoy, who played under Bieniemy as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019, felt that the move was a foolhardy one as the coordinator wouldn’t have Chiefs head coach Andy Reid with him.
“I think it’s a great move getting more money, now on your own, but it’s a huge risk,” McCoy said on Fox Sports’ “Speak for Yourself,” “You don’t have Andy Reid there. … There’s no Coach Reid there to help you out because Reid called all the plays. How it worked in Kansas City was this: Andy Reid sent the play to Eric Bieniemy, and Bieniemy sent the play to Patrick Mahomes. That’s easy to do.”
“What’s his value? What makes him a good offensive coordinator?” McCoy continued. “When you talk about offensive coordinators I could tell you what makes Brian Daboll with the [New York] Giants a very, very good coordinator. I could tell you about Andy Reid or Doug Pederson, but when I ask about Eric Bieniemy, what makes him good?”
I wish him WELL but Washington don’t let the chiefs SUCCESS or coaching titles fool y’all… the traits or skills you need to be a good coordinator I haven’t seen or WITNESSED it … pic.twitter.com/Qtaes1irnx
— LeSean Shady Mccoy (@CutonDime25) February 21, 2023
While this isn’t the first time that McCoy has criticized his former offensive coordinator, he does have some examples to lean on when it comes to Reid’s offensive disciples struggling after leaving the coach. Former offensive coordinators Pat Shurmur and Matt Nagy both struggled as head coaches. However, some other offensive coordinators did find success including Pederson, who won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles and led the Jacksonville Jaguars to the playoffs this past year, and Brad Childress who finished with a 39-35 record in four years with the Minnesota Vikings.
Another former Chiefs running back was quick to come to Bieniemy’s defense. Jamaal Charles, who was a two-time All-Pro during his time in Kansas City, was coached by Bieniemy when he was the team’s running backs coach. He sees Bieniemy having nothing but success at his next stop and feels he deserves even more responsibility in the future.
“I have to disagree with you Shady,” Charles tweeted. “Bieniemy Coach me 4 years I learned so many thing for EB and I still keep in contact with him a great husband and father. He deserves to be a head coach.”
I have to disagree with you Shady. Bieniemy Coach me 4 years I learned so many thing for EB and I still keep in contact with him a great husband and father. He deserves to be a head coach. https://t.co/P5Tym1BBd4
— Jamaal Charles (@jamaalcharles) February 21, 2023
Though it remains to be seen how well Bieniemy will do in Washington, he will get his opportunity to show to other franchises, football fans and analysts like McCoy what he can do away from Reid. As a head coaching candidate in each of the last few hiring cycles, Bieniemy has impressed enough to earn interviews, but to succeed with the Commanders and far away from Reid’s influence could pay huge dividends for his prospects as a head coach. Now, fans will see just how much success Bieniemy will have with full control of an offense and which of his former running backs lands on the correct side of the argument.
