The Washington Commanders interviewed Kansas City’s Eric Bieniemy for their vacant offensive coordinator position Thursday, but while that was happening, word broke out that another team has expressed interest in a member of coach Ron Rivera’s staff to possibly become its play-caller.
The Arizona Cardinals have reportedly requested to speak with Commanders wide receivers coach Drew Terrell for its offensive coordinator vacancy. The request comes after Arizona hired former Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon to become its head coach.
The move also comes as a bit of a surprise as the Commanders haven’t interviewed Terrell for their opening. Bieniemy became Washington’s eighth candidate to interview for the job — and only one of those candidates, quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese, would be an in-house hire.
Terrell, though, did well with Washington’s receiving core last year as he helped get production out of Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and rookie Jahan Dotson. The NFL Network, which first reported the request, said Terrell — who is only 31 years old — is “highly thought of in NFL circles.”
#Commanders WRs coach Drew Terrell has been requested by the #AZCardinals for their offensive coordinator job, source said. Just 31, he’s highly thought of in NFL circles.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 16, 2023
Washington promoted Terrell to receivers coach in 2021.
“We did what we did because we loved Drew and know how good of a coach Drew is as a young coach,” Jim Hostler, Washington’s former wide receiver who is now a senior offensive assistant, said last November. “And we didn’t wanna lose him because obviously we were probably gonna lose him because those things get out. People want those kinds of coaches; they want young coaches, and we didn’t wanna let him go.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.