There will be a new, yet familiar, face on the Kansas City Chiefs’ sideline in the 2026 season. Former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has agreed to terms with the Chiefs to return to the role he held from 2018 to 2022 under head coach Andy Reid. Chiefs fans recall this period fondly, as it marked the most dominant offensive stretch during quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ tenure.
Bieniemy, a frequent rumored front-runner in head coaching circles during his time with the Chiefs, eventually departed
as a Super Bowl champion following the 2022 season. Presumably, Bieniemy left the Chiefs at the time to pursue a future head coaching opportunity.
That never materialized. Bieniemy has spent the past three seasons with three different football teams. He has served as both an offensive coordinator and, most recently, a running backs coach. He will bring the same energy and accountability, a common descriptor of his return to the red and yellow, which he provided at the beginning of their dynasty.
Along with bringing his trademark intangibles, Bieniemy will hopefully bring fresh thoughts and ideas from the past three seasons to a Chiefs’ offense that has regressed and must be rebuilt to return to its former glory.
2023: Washington Commanders Assistant HC and OC
In 2023, Bieniemy joined the Washington Commanders under veteran head coach Ron Rivera. He was given full reins of the offense, with a chance to fully prove himself as a play caller; Rivera was a defensive-minded coach. He overtook an offense that was close to the bottom tier of the NFL in most rankings for 2022. The team ranked 24th in points scored (18.9 PPG) and 20th in total yards per game (330.3).
The Commanders did not enjoy much success in 2023, finishing the season with a 4-13 record. The offense was led by second-year quarterback Sam Howell, who finished with a 63.4% completion percentage, an even 21 touchdowns versus 21 interceptions, and 3,946 passing yards. Howell led the league in sacks as well as interceptions during the season.
Washington’s offense was slightly more productive in points per game (19.4), again ranking 24th in the NFL. Their total yards per game (312.8) dipped, ranking 24th in the NFL.
Bieniemy, along with Rivera, was ultimately let go following the season and the Commanders moved on with a new staff under head coach Dan Quinn.
2024: UCLA Assistant HC and OC
Following his one-year stint with the Commanders, Bieniemy returned to the college ranks at UCLA, where he also coached running backs from 2003-2005. The attempt at working in the college ranks did not go as planned.
UCLA ranked toward the bottom of college football in points per game (18.4) and yards per game (328.8). The Bruins finished the season 5-7 (3-6 in Big 10 play). These stats all declined from the Bruins’ offensive production in the previous season.
Following the campaign, it was mutually agreed upon with head coach Deshaun Foster for Bieniemy to exit his role at UCLA in order to prepare for a return to an NFL coaching opportunity.
2025: Chicago Bears Running Backs coach
His next professional opportunity came in the form of the running backs coach with the Chicago Bears, a title he held for both the Minnesota Vikings and the Chiefs early in his coaching career. He joined first-year head coach Ben Johnson and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.
The Bears enjoyed a miracle season, ultimately ending last weekend with an overtime loss in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The Bears’ running back room was a significant part of the team’s overall success.
The Bears ranked third in rushing yards per game (144.5). Under Bieniemy’s tutelage, sixth-year veteran running back DeAndre Swift enjoyed his second 1,000-plus yard season and the most rushing touchdowns of his entire career (9). Rookie running back Kyle Monangai also enjoyed great success in 2025. Drafted in the seventh round of the NFL Draft, Monangai surprised fans with nearly 800 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on the season.
The Bears’ ground attack was a major reason for the team’s offensive resurgence in 2025. The ground game helped to support quarterback Caleb Williams in setting up the play action. The Bears’ rushing attack featured a wide-zone concept with heavy misdirection. This is in opposition to the Chiefs’ rushing scheme, which heavily features run-pass options out of shotgun.
The bottom line
Bieniemy’s year in Chicago was undoubtedly his most successful during his time away from the Chiefs. Although he was no longer the man leading the offense, he got to learn under one of the brightest young offensive minds in the league in Johnson.
One of the most lacking components of the Chiefs’ offense in 2025 was the lack of a rushing attack and a reliable running back. If Bieniemy can restore even this component of the Chiefs’ offense, it will be considered a major win for the offensive attack.
While the Chiefs’ offense is ultimately Reid’s, a supposed reason Bieniemy has failed to land a head coaching role, Bieniemy undoubtedly has success and experience leading a viable ground game. He also has a great history of working with Mahomes and is respected within the building. While many fans wanted an outside hire, someone without prior ties to the organization—maybe some fresh ideas from an old friend could do the trick.
