As the Kansas City Chiefs attempt to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season, the team has made coaching a focus. This is particularly true on offense. Tough-nosed Eric Bieniemy returns as offensive coordinator after three seasons away from Kansas City.
Rookies have already reported to the team’s training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.
Even the early portion is living up to the brutal reputations of training camps under Bieniemy and head coach Andy Reid.
“It definitely was
right that it’s one of the hardest training camps, for sure,” said rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen after practice. “I’m just getting my feet wet and understanding the playbook and everything. Just keep going.”
The approach of Bieniemy and Reid reminds Allen of the environment in his last college season with the Cincinnati Bearcats.
“They don’t play,” he said of the staff. “That’s all I can say. Everything is intentional. Everything is process oriented. We did that a lot at Cincy, so I’m coming back into it. Coach EB is definitely pounding us every day about [having] our shirts tucked in. Everything is structure.”
Running back Emmett Johnson is all for Bieniemy’s fiery nature.
“He’s going to push you,” remarked the rookie. “He’s going to push you a lot. He wants the best from you at the end of the day. I don’t take anything personally. I pride myself in hard coaching, so I really love that he’s here pushing me to be better every single day.”
Allen also reportedly had some one-on-one coaching from Reid during Sunday’s practice.
“[He was] just making sure I’m looking at the coverages,” the wideout recalled. “Pre-snap awareness and stuff like that. Just being where my feet are and making decisions quicker.”
As both players enter the league, they are showing a humble nature as they work to earn rookie roles on this year’s Chiefs squad.
“It’s surreal for me,” Allen acknowledged. “A lot of people are proud of me back home. I appreciate them for that. I worked extremely hard to be here. Nothing was given. I earned everything. I’m pretty happy with myself, but I still have that underdog mentality that I live by every day. Every day, I come to work, and I’m willing to learn.”
Johnson’s professionalism showed as he was unofficially credited as Sunday’s first player down the hill for practice.
Expect to see more early appearances from Johnson as he continues a routine dating to high school of getting 200 receiving reps each day from the JUGS machine.
Johnson knows that extra time will be required to be successful as a pro. He has meticulously planned his transition and sought advice from players such as Jacksonville Jaguars running back Ameer Abdullah.
“At this level, especially,” he explained, “I feel like you have to do the extra things like recovery. You’ve got to get in the building early. You’ve got to stay late, I feel, to be successful at this level. So, I’m kind of learning through my routine right now. [I’m] asking older guys like Ameer Abdullah who played at Nebraska. Just picking his game on recovery because he’s been playing a long time. That’s what I’m doing.”
