New Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was the subject of a strange storyline last week when coach Ron Rivera told reporters that players have come to him with complaints on how hard Bieniemy was riding them.
Rivera would go on to clarify his comments and apologize for making them in the first place but it remained a significant talking point with Bieniemy, who’s found much success during his time as an OC but has yet to be given a head coaching job.
Despite his incredible run in Kansas City, Bieniemy has been unable to land a job at the helm of a franchise and his coaching style has come into question—this time more publicly than ever before. But Patrick Mahomes is more than familiar with Bieniemy than maybe anyone and came to his defense when reporters brought it up on Friday.
.@ByNateTaylor asking Patrick Mahomes about recent player comments from Washington about Eric Bieniemy’s coaching style. “He’s going to hold you accountable even when you don’t want to hold yourself accountable. And it made me a better player.” - added “He’s your #1 supporter.” pic.twitter.com/oxULBmIkuJ
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) August 11, 2023
“EB is gonna be harsh on you,” Mahomes said. “He’s gonna try and get the best out of you every single day. He’s gonna hold you accountable when you don’t even wanna hold yourself accountable—and it made me a better player.
“I think what he said that was the biggest thing was he’s your No. 1 supporter,” Mahomes continued. “He will go to war with you just like any other guy on your team and you gotta know that.”
Mahomes harped on the fact that Bieniemy’s style of coaching will lead to more wins for Washington and at the end of the day the OC loves his players, making for a strong endorsement from arguably the best player in football.
