Eric Bieniemy Returns to Kansas City: A Familiar Face, a Renewed Focus
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Eric Bieniemy is back in red and gold, and while plenty has changed since his last stint with the Chiefs, the energy surrounding his return feels like a reunion long overdue.
After two seasons away - including a stop in Washington and a recent role as the Chicago Bears’ running backs coach - Bieniemy is once again at the helm of Kansas City’s offense, stepping in for Matt Nagy, who had taken over the coordinator role when Bieniemy left in 2023.
Bieniemy’s time in Chicago was no small footnote. Under his guidance, the Bears finished third in the league in rushing during the 2025 regular season - a testament to his ability to maximize talent and instill a physical, disciplined identity in the run game. But when the opportunity to return to Kansas City came knocking, Bieniemy didn’t hesitate.
“It was great having that opportunity to work in Chicago,” he said. “Working with coach Ben Johnson, who's a hell of a coach, and being part of that organization was special. But getting the chance to come back and sit in this chair with Coach Reid - that’s something that’s tough to pass up.”
The reaction to Bieniemy’s return was swift and enthusiastic from the Chiefs’ core. Patrick Mahomes lit up Instagram with celebratory posts, while Travis Kelce couldn’t hold back his excitement on his podcast.
“I can’t wait to see him back in the building,” Kelce said. “He’s one of my favorite coaches of all time. One of my favorite people of all time.”
For Bieniemy, the feeling is mutual. While he hasn’t jumped into Xs and Os just yet, the emotional connection with his former players remains strong.
“I've had just a small, minimum conversation with both,” he said of Mahomes and Kelce. “But more than anything, it's just the excitement of reuniting.
We played them in the preseason, and it was great seeing those guys. It just feels good to sit down and have conversations.
Honestly, we haven’t even talked football - just catching up and enjoying being around each other again.”
That bond - forged over years of high-stakes games, playoff runs, and a Super Bowl title - is part of what made Bieniemy such a respected figure in the Chiefs’ locker room. He wasn’t just a play-caller; he was a tone-setter. A coach who demanded accountability and attention to detail, and players bought in because the results spoke for themselves.
Now, as he steps back into a familiar role, Bieniemy made it clear: while he’s grown during his time away, the core principles haven’t changed.
“We will still be disciplined and detailed in how we handle our business,” he said. “There’s a standard of performance, a standard of excellence that will be expected. But on top of that, there’s a great deal of wealth that I’ve learned.”
That blend of old-school accountability and fresh perspective could be exactly what Kansas City needs as it looks to stay ahead in an ever-evolving league. Bieniemy returns to a team still armed with Mahomes, Kelce, and Andy Reid - but with new challenges ahead and a target on their back as perennial contenders.
For Bieniemy, it’s not just about picking up where they left off. It’s about pushing the standard even higher.
“I’m looking forward to getting back in the grind and chopping wood with them,” he said.
And if history is any indication, that grind is about to get a whole lot more intense - and a whole lot more productive - with Bieniemy back in the building.