Commanders lineman shares weird rule Eric Bieniemy enforced when he was OC

Former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

Most photos that have been snapped of Dan Quinn since he became head coach of the Washington Commanders share one underlying theme: the 53-year-old loves himself a backward hat.

And while Quinn’s fashion statement may not seem like big news in most NFL circles, it does carry at least some significance for a few Commanders players, who last season couldn’t wear their hats the way Quinn does or they’d be in direct violation of one of former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s odd clubhouse rules.

“Last year, I was not allowed to wear my hat backward [in the building],” offensive lineman Sam Cosmi told The Washington Post. “So, that's a little fun fact there; that was something that we, as players — offensive side — we weren't allowed to wear our hat backward.”

Bieniemy has a reputation for being a no-nonsense, old-school kind of coach. So it makes sense that he would have strict rules about things like a player’s wardrobe and presenting the perception of team uniformity.

Quinn, on the other hand, takes a more laissez-faire approach to things. He's worn his hat backward since his time as the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys.

He’s on record stating he encourages individuality and he has no problem with players having different hairstyles, clothing choices or even preferences for the way they wear their hats.

“I like that people are unique and different,” Quinn said. “I don't want everybody to wear their hat like me; they don't have to. Part of what makes being in a locker room fun [is] different tastes, music or cars, or whatever they like. If it's all the same, it's not as fun. I embrace [that] people are unique and they have special ways that they do things. To me, that's okay, as long as it's in the team.”

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