The Chicago Bears knew success wouldn’t come without a cost. After a breakout 2025 season that saw the team finally flip the script after years of frustration, it was only a matter of time before other franchises came knocking - not just for players, but for the minds behind the resurgence. And sure enough, one of the key architects of that turnaround is on the move.
Running backs coach Eric Bieniemy, fresh off helping D’Andre Swift put together the best season of his career and getting rookie Kyle Monangai up to speed as a legitimate contributor, is heading back to Kansas City. This time, he’ll be taking over as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator - a familiar role in a familiar place.
Bieniemy had kept quiet during the transition, but he opened up in a recent interview with FOX4 Morning News in Kansas City. According to him, this wasn’t a move he took lightly.
He’d actually planned to stay in Chicago, hoping to build on what they started. But then came the call - from Andy Reid, no less.
And when your coaching mentor and longtime friend offers you a chance to return to the place where you helped build a dynasty, it’s hard to say no.
And really, who could blame him?
Bieniemy’s history with the Chiefs runs deep. From 2013 to 2022, he was a key figure in shaping Kansas City’s offensive identity.
He played a major role in developing Patrick Mahomes into one of the league’s premier quarterbacks and was part of two Super Bowl-winning teams. Players respected him.
The locker room trusted him. His departure in 2023 wasn’t about dissatisfaction - it was about chasing the next step, the head coaching opportunity that had long eluded him.
That journey took him to Washington and later to UCLA, but neither stint delivered the breakthrough he was hoping for. Then came Chicago.
In 2025, Bieniemy found his rhythm again, helping the Bears’ backfield become a real strength. Swift thrived.
Monangai showed real promise. And the Bears, for the first time in a long time, looked like a team on the rise.
But sometimes, the pull of home is stronger than the momentum of the present. And for Bieniemy, Kansas City is home.
Now, the Bears are left with a hole to fill. And it’s not a small one.
Bieniemy is regarded as one of the best in the business when it comes to coaching running backs. His ability to connect with players, to develop talent, and to adapt to different offensive schemes made him a valuable piece of Chicago’s resurgence.
Early reports suggest that the Bears might be eyeing veteran coach Eric Studesville as a potential replacement. If that’s the direction they go, it would be a solid move.
Studesville brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of developing backs. But replacing Bieniemy won’t be about finding a carbon copy - it’ll be about continuing the momentum he helped create.
For now, the Bears will regroup and move forward. Losing a coach of Bieniemy’s caliber stings, no doubt.
But this wasn’t a case of a coach jumping ship for the next big thing. This was a return to roots, a reunion with a franchise where he helped build something special.
And in this league, sometimes the best move isn’t about climbing the ladder - it’s about going back to where you belong.
As for Bieniemy, he steps into a familiar role with renewed energy and a fresh perspective. After a year of success in Chicago, he returns to Kansas City not just as a former coach - but as a better one. And with Mahomes still under center and Reid still calling the shots, the Chiefs’ offense just got a little more dangerous again.