The Chicago Bears are no strangers to disappointment, but after a humiliating 24-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the team’s 2024 season hit what many are calling its “new low.” With fans clamoring for change and the front office left grappling with yet another failed campaign, all eyes are now on who will step in to right the ship for a franchise that’s become synonymous with underachievement in recent years. And now, after a loss that further cements their place at the bottom of the NFC North, a surprising and somewhat controversial figure has emerged as the leading candidate to take over as the next head coach: Eric Bieniemy, the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders.
While Bieniemy has long been viewed as one of the top assistant coaches in the NFL, his inability to land a head coaching position despite multiple interviews over the years has raised questions about what it will take for him to finally get his shot. However, his candidacy for the Bears job could be the perfect storm — one that not only aligns with Chicago’s desperate need for an offensive mind but also brings a level of intrigue and risk that Bears fans aren’t used to.
The Case for Bieniemy: Breaking the Mold
Chicago’s recent struggles — particularly with its offense — have been glaring. The Bears’ offense has been stagnant under head coach Matt Eberflus, who has failed to establish an identity in his tenure. Justin Fields, once viewed as the quarterback of the future, has regressed amid poor coaching, and Chicago’s offensive line remains one of the worst in the NFL. Fields, who showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie year, now looks like a shell of his former self. For many, this offensive ineptitude is a direct reflection of Eberflus’s inability to craft a successful offensive system.
This is where Bieniemy comes in. Known for his dynamic and innovative offensive strategies, Bieniemy helped shape the Kansas City Chiefs’ high-powered attack as their offensive coordinator. Under his tutelage, the Chiefs not only won two Super Bowls but also revolutionized the NFL’s offensive landscape. The Bears desperately need someone with a proven track record to help develop Fields and put together an offense that can actually put points on the board. Given Bieniemy’s success with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ explosive offense, many are eager to see if he can do the same with Fields, a quarterback whose skill set is tailor-made for a high-octane system.
The Elephant in the Room: The “Bieniemy Dilemma”
While the case for Bieniemy is strong on paper, there’s a significant debate surrounding his coaching acumen. Critics have long pointed to the fact that he’s never been given the opportunity to take the reins of a team despite his success in Kansas City. Some argue that this could be the result of his ties to Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, and that much of Bieniemy’s success may be credited to the system and the players around him rather than his own individual genius.
In Washington, Bieniemy has had a mixed bag of results as offensive coordinator. The Commanders’ offense has shown flashes of brilliance but also inconsistency, leaving some to question whether Bieniemy is the mastermind he’s made out to be or simply a product of an elite organization’s success. It’s a dilemma that’s only exacerbated by the Bears’ own instability at the quarterback position and within the front office.
Can Bieniemy Overcome Chicago’s Dysfunction?
Despite the lingering questions surrounding his ability to truly lead a team, there’s no denying that the Bears are desperate for a change. The franchise has seen more turnover than anyone would care to count over the past two decades, with failed experiments like Marc Trestman, John Fox, and Matt Nagy all adding to the franchise’s storied failure in the modern era. Bieniemy would represent a clean break from the past, and for a team in need of a culture change, that might just be the kind of gamble the Bears need to take.
But it’s not just about Xs and Os — Bieniemy would have to prove he can handle the dysfunction that currently plagues the organization. From a questionable general manager in Ryan Poles to an ownership group that’s become increasingly involved in the day-to-day operations, the Bears are a franchise that’s mired in instability. Would Bieniemy be able to navigate this environment and transform the Bears into a playoff contender? The answer remains uncertain, but at this point, the Bears have little choice but to roll the dice.
A Risk Chicago Must Take?
Bieniemy’s candidacy would not only mark a significant departure from the typical NFL coaching carousel but also represent a risk that many franchises are too afraid to take. Hiring a coach with as many questions surrounding his ability to lead a team as Bieniemy could be a gamble, but for a team like the Bears, whose future is far from certain, it might just be the risk they need to take.
It would certainly be a bold move — one that could either resurrect the team’s fortunes or send the Bears into another spiral of mediocrity. But after a season that has seen the franchise hit a new low, the question for Chicago fans is clear: is it time to roll the dice on Bieniemy, or will the Bears continue their decades-long search for the next great coach? The next few weeks will likely tell us all we need to know.