Kansas City Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy is back with the franchise after suffering a major personal situation at the start of training camp.
Coach Bieniemy is back with the Chiefs after four seasons away, hoping to reinject life into the team’s offense after their first missed postseason in 10 years.
Unfortunately, Bieniemy’s preseason was sidetracked by a personal tragedy, for which he had to take time off, before returning with less than a month until the 2026 NFL season kicks off.
Chiefs’ Eric Bieniemy shouts out Travis Kelce and Patrick MahomesBieniemy spoke to the media after practice on Tuesday and discussed the impact of veteran players like Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes reaching out to him to keep his spirits high when he was dealing with his personal issues.
“It means a lot. I have known those guys for what seems like forever now. You develop these relationships and these bonds; you become members of each other’s families. It means a lot to not only have great players, but more importantly, great people who happen to be great players who care about you. Not just as a coach, but as a person and a family man. It means a lot.”
Bieniemy’s first stint with the Chiefs started in 2013 and ended in 2022. He was the running backs coach from 2013 to 2017, with 2013 also being the year Kelce was drafted by the Chiefs in the third round.
Bieniemy’s first season as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator came in 2018, also the first year that Mahomes was entrusted to be the team’s QB1 after spending his rookie season as a backup.
Bieniemy created the consistent offensive machine that the likes of Mahomes and Kelce executed. His departure didn’t stop them from winning another Super Bowl without him, but the Chiefs needed him back to restore their elite offense after a rough 2025 season.
What happened to Eric Bieniemy’s family?Bieniemy’s wife, Mia Bieniemy, was shot at their home on July 26, with the assailant later being confirmed as the couple’s 27-year-old son, Elijah Zion Bieniemy.
Emily Curiel/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty ImagesThe investigation into the shooting is still ongoing, but Elijah was charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and discharge of a firearm inside of a dwelling.
The preliminary trial was expected to be held on August 31, but has been postponed until a status review of the evaluation’s progress is complete, which is scheduled for September 9. So, Bieniemy will have to devote some of his attention to this major personal matter days before the regular season.
Eric Bieniemy also confirmed on Tuesday that his wife, Mia, is ‘doing great’ and on the road to recovery from her injuries. Her speedy recovery also allowed Eric to return to training camp after just a two-week absence.
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