[skinsfaninok]

On Tuesday, Pro Football Network’s Benjamin Allbright reported that Bieniemy is considered Washington owner Dan Snyder’s front runner for his team’s coaching vacancy. The Athletic’s Ben Standig confirmed that Bieniemy is indeed on the team’s short list, according to a source with knowledge of candidates of interest to Washington. Wednesday, NBC Sports Washington’s J.P. Finlay reported that quarterback Alex Smith has Snyder’s ear, and it isn’t a stretch to believe that he could sway the owner towards Bieniemy, who was the Kansas City Chiefs running backs coach from 2013-17 when Smith was the quarterback.

The Athletic spoke to a source close to Bieniemy, who said it’s likely Smith is also talking to Bieniemy about the situation in Washington, as well as Bieniemy asking the quarterback about the team and how he feels about it. The source said the reason Bieniemy wasn’t interested in the Cincinnati Bengals opening last year was because of questions about the team’s quarterback situation. The source doesn’t exactly know how Bieniemy feels about Washington’s rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Still, young players such as running back Derrius Guice, receivers Terry McLaurin, Kelvin Harmon, and Steven Sims could be of interest.