The Las Vegas Raiders coaching search for an offensive coordinator is underway for the second time this offseason after Kliff Kingsbury backed out on the job. Now, with their top option gone, the Raiders could turn their focus to a polarizing option as a backup plan.
Las Vegas was excited to add Kingsbury to its coaching staff, believing his combination of head-coaching experience and creativity as a play-caller was perfect for the Raiders coaching staff. However, head coach Antonio Pierce encountered his first major problem this offseason when Kingsbury backed out before signing his contract on Friday.
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The decision left the Raiders coaching staff and front office in a challenging spot. Fortunately, an extensive coaching search that brought in several candidates for in-person interviews has given Las Vegas alternatives. While UCLA head coach Chip Kelly is one option, there appears to be another on the team’s radar.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Raiders recently spoke with former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy regarding their OC vacancy and he is considered an option to replace Kingsbury.
Background on Las Vegas Raiders OC candidate Eric Bieniemy
Once considering an up-and-coming NFL coaching candidate, Eric Bieniemy has settled into being an offensive coordinator at the highest level. After winning two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs, the 54-year-old left the team last offseason to become Washington’s play-caller.
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| QB Rating | TD-INT | Pass YPG | Rush YPG | 3rd Down rate | |
| Weeks 1-10 | 88.2 | 17-9 | 246.6 | 87.9 | 37.2% |
| Weeks 11-18 | 62.7 | 7-12 | 179.9 | 101.9 | 33.3% |
However, following a promising start by quarterback Sam Howell, the Commanders’ offense went into a tailspin. Washington had one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL and it was one of the least effective offenses on third down in 2023.
Bieniemy also clashed at times with Commanders’ players, including Pro Bowl wide receiver Terry McLaurin. During training camp, then-Commanders coach Ron Rivera told reporters that players had privately expressed concerns to them regarding Bieniemy riding them too hard.
Like Kingsbury, Bieniemy would offer years of coaching experience at both the NFL and collegiate levels. He was also instrumental in the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl last year, both with his game-planning and identifying things for Kansas City’s offense to exploit that he found on film.
Importantly, the Raiders coaching search is looking at other options. Fowler also mentioned that former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy is under consideration and Las Vegas also spoke to Pep Hamilton, but that might’ve been for a position coach job on the Raiders coaching staff.
