Eric Bieniemy Returns to Kansas City: Can the Chiefs’ Offense Reignite Under a Familiar Face?
The Kansas City Chiefs are bringing back a key piece of their offensive dynasty puzzle. Eric Bieniemy, who served as the team’s offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2022, is officially returning to that role for the 2026 season. It’s a reunion that comes at a pivotal time for the Chiefs, who are looking to recapture the offensive firepower that once made them the NFL’s most feared unit.
Bieniemy’s first stint as OC coincided with the rise of Patrick Mahomes and the golden era of Andy Reid’s offense-a stretch that included multiple Super Bowl appearances and a style of play that redefined what an NFL offense could look like. Now, after three years away, Bieniemy is back in red and gold. And while the name is familiar, the coach returning to Kansas City brings with him new experiences, fresh perspective, and a clear understanding of what this team needs to return to elite form.
A Journey Through the League - and Back Again
Bieniemy’s departure after the 2022 season was largely seen as a stepping stone toward a head coaching gig. He left the Chiefs as a Super Bowl champion, and for years had been one of the most talked-about names in coaching circles.
But that next step never quite materialized. Instead, he spent the last three seasons in three very different roles, each shaping his approach in new ways.
2023: Washington Commanders - OC and Assistant Head Coach
Bieniemy took on full play-calling duties in Washington under Ron Rivera, a defensive-minded head coach who gave him full control of the offense.
It was a challenge from the start. The Commanders were coming off a season where they ranked near the bottom in scoring and yardage, and while there were minor improvements in points per game, the offense remained stuck in neutral.
Second-year quarterback Sam Howell showed flashes but was inconsistent, finishing the season with 21 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. He led the league in both sacks taken and interceptions-numbers that speak to both growing pains and structural issues within the offense. The Commanders finished 4-13, and at season’s end, both Rivera and Bieniemy were out as the franchise hit the reset button.
2024: UCLA - OC and Assistant Head Coach
Looking to recalibrate, Bieniemy returned to the college ranks at UCLA, where he had previously coached running backs in the early 2000s.
But the Bruins struggled mightily on offense, ranking near the bottom of the nation in both scoring and total yardage. The team finished 5-7, and the offensive numbers took a step back from the previous season.
After just one year, Bieniemy and the program agreed to part ways, with the coach setting his sights back on the NFL.
2025: Chicago Bears - Running Backs Coach
That’s when things started to click again.
Bieniemy joined the Chicago Bears as their running backs coach under first-year head coach Ben Johnson and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. It turned out to be a perfect fit.
The Bears became one of the league’s most dangerous rushing attacks, finishing third in rushing yards per game (144.5). DeAndre Swift had a career year, topping 1,000 yards for the second time and scoring a personal-best nine rushing touchdowns. Even more impressive was the emergence of rookie Kyle Monangai, a seventh-round pick who racked up nearly 800 yards and five touchdowns in his debut season.
That ground game wasn’t just productive-it was foundational. It helped rookie quarterback Caleb Williams settle into the NFL by setting up play-action and keeping defenses honest. The Bears’ wide-zone, misdirection-heavy rushing scheme was a key driver in their surprise playoff run, which ended in an overtime loss in the Divisional Round.
For Bieniemy, it was a return to what he does best-coaching up a backfield and helping build a physical, efficient run game. And it came under the guidance of one of the league’s brightest young offensive minds, giving him a front-row seat to some of the most innovative concepts in today’s NFL.
What This Means for the Chiefs
Let’s be clear: this is still Andy Reid’s offense. That’s been the case for years, and it likely played a role in Bieniemy not landing a head coaching job despite his success in Kansas City.
But that doesn’t mean Bieniemy’s role is minor. Far from it.
The Chiefs’ offense in 2025 wasn’t the same explosive unit we’ve grown accustomed to. The passing game lacked rhythm, and perhaps more critically, the run game never found its footing. They didn’t have a consistent threat in the backfield, and that imbalance made life harder on Mahomes and the passing attack.
That’s where Bieniemy can make an immediate impact. His recent success in Chicago showed he still knows how to get the most out of a running back room, and he’s bringing that knowledge back to a Chiefs team that desperately needs it. If he can help Kansas City re-establish a legitimate ground game-something to keep defenses honest and take pressure off Mahomes-it could be a game-changer.
And let’s not forget the familiarity factor. Mahomes and Bieniemy have a strong working relationship.
There’s trust, chemistry, and a shared history of success. That matters in a league where continuity is often the difference between good and great.
A Familiar Face with a New Perspective
While some fans were hoping for an outside hire to inject new ideas into the offense, Bieniemy’s return shouldn’t be seen as a retread. He’s no longer just the guy who helped build the Chiefs’ original offensive juggernaut-he’s a coach who’s spent the last three years learning, adapting, and evolving.
He’s called plays for a struggling franchise. He’s coached in the college game.
He’s helped develop a top-tier rushing attack. And now he’s back in a building where he’s respected, where he knows the system, and where he has the opportunity to help reshape an offense that’s in need of a spark.
If Bieniemy can bring even a fraction of the Bears’ ground-game magic to Kansas City, and pair it with his deep understanding of Mahomes and Reid’s offensive philosophy, the Chiefs could be looking at a serious bounce-back season on that side of the ball.
It’s not just about returning to what worked before-it’s about building something new with the pieces that have always been there. And with Bieniemy back in the fold, Kansas City just might be ready to light up the scoreboard again.