Chiefs' Andy Reid excited to have Eric Bieniemy back on the coaching staff
Bieniemy returns for a second tour of duty under Reid
Reunited and it feels so good.
That would best describe Chiefs coach Andy Reid’s mood during a Monday afternoon Zoom teleconference with media members.
Rightfully so, of course, when considering Reid’s media availability arrived days after the official return of Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator.
“We’re excited to announce that Eric Bieniemy is coming back to us,” Reid said. “We put that out a couple of days ago, I believe, so I think this is new news, but it’s good to get him back in the building.
“I think we all know the energy that Eric brings and what he gives to a football team.”
Bieniemy originally joined Reid’s coaching staff as a running backs coach in 2013. He was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2018 and helped guide the Chiefs to two Super Bowl championships.
His return to Kansas City comes three seasons after he left in 2023 to become the offensive coordinator with the Washington Commanders, where he lasted a single season before Washington made wholesale changes to the coaching staff.
Bieniemy then assumed the offensive coordinator role in college with the UCLA Bruins in 2024 before returning to the NFL in 2025 to coach running backs for the Chicago Bears, where he helped D’Andre Swift rush for more than 1,000 yards.
“He’s coming off a heck of a season with the Chicago Bears,” Reid said of Bieniemy. “My hat goes off to the Bears and the great job that they did there.”
Bieniemy replaces Matt Nagy, who replaced Bieniemy as offensive coordinator in 2023.
While Nagy’s contract wasn’t renewed after the 2025 season, Reid remained complimentary and hopeful Nagy would land with another team either as a head coach or coordinator.
“This gives Matt an opportunity to go out and run his show there and do what he does best taking two Super Bowl championships with him and three Super Bowl appearances,” Reid said.
The return of Bieniemy comes after the Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
But he’s familiar with what Reid wants on offense, and Bieniemy should hit the ground running, while bringing the energy that he’s widely known for.
“I thought Matt brought great energy, too, with his, but it’s different,” Reid said. “They both have their own personalities that they share within.
“EB is going to be very direct with the players. He’s very direct with the coaches and it’s a different flavor. Both have been very productive in this system here, so I think it’s a win-win for us that way. There’s nobody on the field like EB.”
Meanwhile, there will likely be speculation on how much of the playcalling responsibilities will fall on Bieniemy.
Bieniemy, after all, had the opportunity to spread his wings as an offensive coordinator to call his own plays at Washington and UCLA.
Reid, however, made it clear that the buck will continue to stop with him, combined with some input.
“Listen, I’m actually the one calling plays,” Reid said. “But what I do, I’m not afraid to delegate, get opinions from people, and then even in certain situations letting them go ahead and call things in different areas.
“So, we do this jointly. I mean, I keep it open and I’ve felt that’s the best way.”