The biggest offseason acquisition for the Kansas City Chiefs may not have been a player.
The Chiefs reunited with Eric Bieniemy this offseason, Andy Reid's longtime offensive coordinator and lieutenant, who had a short coaching odyssey that led back to Arrowhead Stadium for the 2026 season and beyond.
Under Bieniemy's guidance on offense, the Chiefs captured two Super Bowl rings, and the unit hasn't looked as crisp in the three seasons that the veteran coach has been away. Instead, the team leaned on its explosive defense, rather than a potent offensive attack featuring Patrick Mahomes and Co.
Bieniemy missed time during training camp after his wife was shot in an incident for which his son has been charged, but his impact has been palpable, according to players, including Travis Kelce. The veteran tight end weighed in on what's the missing ingredient that Bieniemy has brought back to the fold.
"One, you got intensity," Kelce told reporters on Thursday. "Intensity is the first thing, and that intensity is infectious. Makes you wanna scream 'mother (expletive)' at everybody doing the wrong thing. And I love that (expletive), it's one of my favorite things about him.
"I don't think there's enough of that in the world, let alone in this building. I think EB's one of those guys where his accountability is going to piss you off. But, if you treat it the right way, and you act the right way, respond the right way with it, you're gonna become better of it."
Kelce's colorful way of explaining Bieniemy's qualities sound like something that was missed from the team and should translate to on-field production.
After ranking top-six in each season during Bieniemy's watch as OC between 2018 and 2022, the Chiefs fell to 15th, 15th and 21st in points scored in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Kelce, who also spoke about his offseason wedding to Taylor Swift for the first time, said that the accountability is the No. 1 thing that was missing from the team in 2025.
"One-thousand percent," Kelce said when asked if Bieniemy's accountability was missing in a "weird" year for Kansas City. "And that's not to say it was on anybody specific, I'll put my hand in the air and say there were things I could have done better in that regard. And it's one of those things that I'm working on.
"It's not just going to be Bieniemy out here holding people accountable. It's the guys doing things the right way, holding people accountable, too."
The "weird" season for Kansas City resulted in the team's first playoff-less season since the 2014 season, Reid's second season in command of the team. A reunion with Bieniemy should only help, if Kelce's diagnosis proves accurate.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Travis Kelce reveals missing ingredient Eric Bieniemy brought back to Chiefs
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