Trey Smith Welcomes Eric Bieniemy’s Return: “He’s a Mindset, a Mentality”
The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a season that, by their standards, was nothing short of a gut punch. A team that entered the year as a Super Bowl favorite stumbled to just six wins and a third-place finish in the AFC West. That kind of fall demands change - and change is exactly what’s happening in Kansas City.
One of the biggest shakeups? Eric Bieniemy is back.
After a brief stint as offensive coordinator in Washington, Bieniemy returns to Kansas City to reclaim the OC role, stepping in for Matt Nagy, who’s now with the New York Giants. And while some players will be getting to know him for the first time, others - like offensive lineman Trey Smith - already know exactly what’s coming.
Smith, speaking with Jason Anderson on Radio Row ahead of Super Bowl LX, didn’t hold back when asked about Bieniemy’s return. His reaction was a mix of excitement, respect, and a clear understanding of the kind of edge Bieniemy brings to a locker room.
“When I think of EB,” Smith said, “I think about the first day of training camp at St. Joe’s.
That 90-degree weather, deep humidity in the morning, just doing drills, man. He’s just barking, getting after guys.”
But for Smith, that intensity isn’t just about noise - it’s about identity.
“EB is almost a mindset and mentality. Introduce yourself.
At the end of the day, we’re presenting that we’re going to be the aggressors. We’re going to be physical.
We’re out here to dominate. We’re not here to mess around.
This is business. We’re getting after you every single play until the whistle blows.”
That kind of culture - physical, focused, and relentless - is something the Chiefs clearly missed last season. And Smith isn’t the only one who feels that way. From Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce, Kansas City’s leaders have been vocal about wanting more accountability, more edge, and a return to the demanding standard that helped them build a championship core.
Bieniemy brings that in spades.
“He’s a guy I have so much respect and admiration for,” Smith said. “It’s really exciting to have him back.”
Of course, not everyone thrives under that kind of coaching. Smith acknowledged that Bieniemy’s style - loud, direct, and brutally honest - can be a challenge, especially for players who aren’t used to being pushed that hard. But in his mind, that’s exactly what separates the good from the great.
“People don’t like getting yelled at at times,” Smith admitted. “But with Coach EB, you’ve got to understand he’s doing that with a purpose.
He wants to see you be great. He knows the potential, and he’s trying to get the best out of you.”
That’s the key to Bieniemy’s approach - it’s not about tearing players down, it’s about building them up through accountability and high expectations. And for Smith, who cut his teeth in the SEC, that kind of coaching isn’t just welcome - it’s necessary.
“I’d rather be held accountable in those situations than just coast by and my coach not tell me a freaking thing,” he said. “It’s just hard coaching.
Maybe it’s because I played in the SEC, so I’m used to a little bit of hard coaching at times, but I love it. His intensity is one of the most unique traits.
At the end of the day, you just have to understand he’s doing that because he wants to see you succeed. He wants to see you be the best you can be.”
After a season that left the Chiefs searching for answers, the return of Bieniemy isn’t just a reunion - it’s a statement. A signal that the standard is being reestablished.
That the Chiefs aren’t content with falling short. And that the fire, the focus, and the physicality that defined their rise to the top are back in the building.
For Trey Smith and the rest of the locker room, that’s exactly what they’ve been waiting for.