Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy says time away from Chiefs helped him grow as a coach

Eric Bieniemy spent three years away from Kansas City, but it didn’t take long for him to feel at home again.Standing behind the podium Wednesday after OTA practice, the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator talked about his journey back to Kansas City and what he learned during stops in Washington, UCLA and Chicago before rejoining Andy Reid’s staff this offseason.”It feels good to be back home and also good to be back in this red shirt,” Bieniemy said.Bieniemy’s return was one of the Chiefs’ biggest offseason moves after Kansas City’s offense struggled to consistently find the form that defined much of the Patrick Mahomes era.He previously spent a decade with the Chiefs, serving as running backs coach from 2013-17 before becoming offensive coordinator from 2018-22. Kansas City reached five consecutive AFC Championship Games and won two Super Bowls during Bieniemy’s first coaching stint in red and gold.Bieniemy spent the 2023 season as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator in Washington before moving to UCLA in 2024. He then joined the Chicago Bears in 2025 as running backs coach, helping the Bears reach the playoffs while finishing third in the NFL in rushing.Bieniemy said the time away gave him a chance to grow.”I just think that when you go different places there’s a lot of things that you can learn,” he said. “You learn the value of how you’re treating people and on top of that, how you’re engaging and interacting within the organization.”He also touched on some of the challenges he experienced helped shape him as a coach.”I think that helps with growth and sometimes, you know, with all of that, sometimes when you experience failure it gives you a tremendous opportunity to hit the reset button and it helps you to grow and push you forward,” Bieniemy said.Bieniemy said his relationship with Reid remained strong during his time away from the Chiefs. Players have already noticed Bieniemy’s influence.Quarterback Patrick Mahomes credited Bieniemy for bringing energy and accountability to the team. “There’s a standard that you have to practice with, and you have to play with,” Mahomes said. “He’s going to hold you to that standard, no matter who you are. From the first guy to the 90th guy right now, he’s going to hold you to that standard.”Mahomes also said Bieniemy’s first meeting back with the team left a lasting impression.”That first meeting had me wanting to run through a brick wall, it had me ready to go,” Mahomes said.Bieniemy said the focus remains on the team rather than any individual.”With all that said, we just need to make sure that we understand that it’s not about the individual, it’s about the greater group and then the whole. We need to gain a complete understanding of that,” Bieniemy said.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —

Eric Bieniemy spent three years away from Kansas City, but it didn’t take long for him to feel at home again.

Standing behind the podium Wednesday after OTA practice, the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator talked about his journey back to Kansas City and what he learned during stops in Washington, UCLA and Chicago before rejoining Andy Reid’s staff this offseason.

“It feels good to be back home and also good to be back in this red shirt,” Bieniemy said.

Bieniemy’s return was one of the Chiefs’ biggest offseason moves after Kansas City’s offense struggled to consistently find the form that defined much of the Patrick Mahomes era.

He previously spent a decade with the Chiefs, serving as running backs coach from 2013-17 before becoming offensive coordinator from 2018-22.

Kansas City reached five consecutive AFC Championship Games and won two Super Bowls during Bieniemy’s first coaching stint in red and gold.

Bieniemy spent the 2023 season as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator in Washington before moving to UCLA in 2024.

He then joined the Chicago Bears in 2025 as running backs coach, helping the Bears reach the playoffs while finishing third in the NFL in rushing.

Bieniemy said the time away gave him a chance to grow.

“I just think that when you go different places there’s a lot of things that you can learn,” he said. “You learn the value of how you’re treating people and on top of that, how you’re engaging and interacting within the organization.”

He also touched on some of the challenges he experienced helped shape him as a coach.

“I think that helps with growth and sometimes, you know, with all of that, sometimes when you experience failure it gives you a tremendous opportunity to hit the reset button and it helps you to grow and push you forward,” Bieniemy said.

Bieniemy said his relationship with Reid remained strong during his time away from the Chiefs.

Players have already noticed Bieniemy’s influence.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes credited Bieniemy for bringing energy and accountability to the team.

“There’s a standard that you have to practice with, and you have to play with,” Mahomes said. “He’s going to hold you to that standard, no matter who you are. From the first guy to the 90th guy right now, he’s going to hold you to that standard.”

Mahomes also said Bieniemy’s first meeting back with the team left a lasting impression.

“That first meeting had me wanting to run through a brick wall, it had me ready to go,” Mahomes said.

Bieniemy said the focus remains on the team rather than any individual.

“With all that said, we just need to make sure that we understand that it’s not about the individual, it’s about the greater group and then the whole. We need to gain a complete understanding of that,” Bieniemy said.