Eric Bieniemy left the Chiefs during the 2023 NFL offseason looking to prove himself away from head coach Andy Reid.
Things didn’t go as planned.
Bieniemy joined the Commanders as the team’s assistant head coach and offensive coordinator and was tasked with turning the Sam Howell-led offense into a competent unit. The early returns were good and Howell led the league in passing yards during the first weeks of the season.
Opponents, however, finally figured out how to bother Howell in Bieniemy’s pass-happy offense. They pressured the first-year starter and routinely found ways to pick him off and force him into mistakes.
Bieniemy didn’t adapt much to the Howell crisis, and that (plus Washington’s firing of Ron Rivera) ultimately led to Bieniemy’s dismissal as Dan Quinn molds his coaching staff in his own mold.
Now Bieniemy is looking for work and many are wondering what’s next for the 54-year-old. Most NFL offensive coordinator vacancies are filled, but Bieniemy’s experience and ability to serve as an assistant head coach may intrigue teams in need of a boost on offense.
Could that include Bieniemy’s former employer, the Chiefs? His ties to Kansas City remain strong and it appears he still has a big fan in Andy Reid. That’s part of the reason Bieniemy visited the Chiefs before they played the Ravens in the AFC championship game.
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Will Eric Bieniemy return to the Chiefs?
Reid revealed Bieniemy’s pre-AFC championship visit to the Chiefs at a news conference Wednesday ahead of Super Bowl 58, where Kansas City will compete for a second straight title.
“He came in and talked to our team before our last game.” Reid said. “He talked to the offensive guys and was with us in our meetings. I haven’t had a chance to talk to him. He’s still available for a couple of jobs.”
It’s unclear how much Bieniemy helped the Chiefs, if at all. Still, it’s notable that the team welcomed him back, as it indicates that he has a positive relationship with the Kansas City players and coaches.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes praised Bieniemy’s recent visit and the “intensity” he brings on a day-to-day basis.
“It was great to have him in the building.” Mahomes told reporters. “Just being there, the energy he brings, the mentality he brings, you can feel it. He has that intensity, but he loves it. He loves being there and being part of the team. And being part of that culture. So, just having him back in the building was really cool. And hearing him talk and his energy, it just made everyone… I think the guys got a little chills, like, ‘EB is back here.'”
With that in mind, are the Chiefs considering reuniting with Bieniemy? Reid didn’t speak on the subject, but offered a full endorsement of his former assistant’s abilities.
“I can’t answer the last part because there are no positions at this time,” Reid said when asked about Bieniemy rejoining the Chiefs. “But I would tell you that I think his future as a coach is excellent. Obviously I’m a big fan of him and the things he can do.”
Mahomes echoed a similar sentiment about Bieniemy’s coaching prowess.
“Obviously, he didn’t get that opportunity as a head coach, but I’m excited for him to continue coaching football and continue to make an impact on the game,” Mahomes said.
So it certainly seems like the Chiefs would welcome Bieniemy if a spot opened up for the 54-year-old. The only question is where that might be, with special teams coordinator Dave Toub holding the title of assistant head coach, Matt Nagy being the offensive coordinator and Joe Bleimayer being Kansas City’s passing game coordinator.
But if the Chiefs are eager to bring Bieniemy back in, they could surely find a way to do it.
