KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs are moving forward with plans to enhance their offensive strategy after a lackluster season by requesting to interview Eric Bieniemy for their offensive coordinator position. This decision follows the departure of Matt Nagy, who concluded his tenure with the Chiefs when his contract expired after the 2026 season.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes expressed his thoughts on the qualities he seeks in a new offensive coordinator, emphasizing the importance of passion for the game and the ability to adapt. “For me, I just want someone that loves football, that cares about football, that wants to give everything they can to win, to hold people accountable,” Mahomes stated. He believes that accountability and innovation are crucial for the team to reclaim its status as a top offensive unit.
Bieniemy, who previously served as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2022, is the only candidate the Chiefs have approached for this role. His prior experience with Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid makes him a prime candidate for a reunion aimed at revitalizing the Chiefs’ offense.
During Bieniemy’s previous tenure, the Chiefs consistently ranked among the top offenses in the league, finishing no lower than sixth in points per game. This season, however, the team struggled with offensive consistency, particularly highlighted by their difficulties against teams employing more defensive backs without blitzing. Mahomes managed only a 41% completion rate under pressure, the lowest of his career.
“We have to find ways to counteract that and kind of go at teams and be able to utilize that and make more explosive plays,” Mahomes noted. The Chiefs’ offense faced challenges in executing plays against man-to-man coverage, leading to a disappointing record in one-score games, finishing with only one win out of ten.
Bieniemy’s impact was evident during his recent stint with the Chicago Bears, where he significantly improved the running game. Under his guidance, Bears running backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai contributed to the team achieving the second-best rushing offense in the league. Swift had a career-high of 1,087 rushing yards and ten total touchdowns, while Monangai, a rookie, amassed 947 all-purpose yards.
The Chiefs’ struggling run game was a key point of concern in the past season, with running backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt failing to generate substantial yardage. Pacheco notably did not achieve a single rush of 20 yards or more throughout the season. Reid acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “We’ve got to run the ball more efficiently, especially on first or second down.”
Throughout the season, the team displayed waning energy and focus during critical moments, contributing to their inability to secure wins in close games. Bieniemy, known for his demanding coaching style, has a reputation for instilling discipline and accountability in his players. Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce have consistently praised Bieniemy for his effectiveness as a coach, with Kelce expressing admiration for the Bears’ offense under Bieniemy’s leadership.
As the Chiefs aim to enhance their offensive output, Bieniemy’s familiarity with the team and his recent experience with innovative offensive strategies could be invaluable. His knowledge of the Bears’ new system, developed under first-year coach Ben Johnson, is expected to bring fresh ideas to the Chiefs’ offensive playbook.
Former Chiefs right tackle Mitchell Schwartz commented on the potential benefits of Bieniemy’s return, stating, “He’s exactly what the team needs: a guy to coach everyone hard, a guy with new ideas and concepts from one of the best, and possibly the best RB coach in the league.”
As the Chiefs prepare for the upcoming season, the potential reunion with Bieniemy could be the key to revitalizing an offense that aims to return to its elite performance level.