Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy on his return: “I feel like a kid in the candy store”
Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy spoke to reporters Wednesday over Zoom. #chiefs #nfl #sports #football
The offensive coordinator who was part of the Chiefs through one of their most productive stretches is back in Kansas City. Eric Bieniemy, who had three different jobs in the past three years, has been rehired.
That also means Matt Nagy, who held the job for the past three years, is out. Why the moves? On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, columnist Sam McDowell and Chiefs insider Pete Sweeney explore the moves and discuss what they mean for KC.
There is plenty for the Chiefs and Bieniemy to address. The Chiefs ranked 20th in total points and 21st in yards last season, the worst performance in the Andy Reid era. Some change was expected, but the Chiefs decided to keep things familiar instead of bringing in someone from the outside.
Did the Chiefs’ New Coach Just Confirm Travis Kelce Is Coming Back Next Season?
Eric Bieniemy returned as offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs this month
The respected offensive coordinator, whose return to the Kansas City Chiefs was recently announced after a three-year stint with the Washington Commanders, might have unintentionally confirmed Travis Kelce’s retirement decision during a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
“I’ve had a small minimal conversation with both and they all have been great, but more than anything, it’s just the excitement of reuniting,” Bieniemy said, after a reporter asked him if he had spoken with Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
He added, “It feels good just to sit down and have conversations with guys. To be honest, I haven’t talked any football or anything, it’s just the excitement of seeing each other, asking how they’re doing and making sure everything is good moving forward.”
Bieniemy also shared his excitement for the coming season.
“Am I fired up? Yes. Do I respect the hell out of both those guys? Yes,” Bieniemy said. “So I’m looking forward to getting back in the grind and chopping wood with them.”
On Jan. 23, the Kansas City Chiefs officially announced the return of Bieniemy to the team after his three-year departure for stints with the Commanders, UCLA and Chicago Bears.
Bieniemy first joined the Chiefs coaching staff in 2013, serving as a running back coach until 2017 before being promoted to offensive coordinator. After the 2022 season, he left to take the same position with the Commanders.
The comments made by Bieniemy during the recent press conference come amid ongoing speculation over Kelce’s future in the NFL and whether he will retire after this season, which ended short of the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
“You know, that’s a good question, man. I think I’m still searching for those answers… The way this one ended with a sour taste in my mouth,” Kelce told retired football star Tony Gonzalez who asked about his retirement decision.
Most recently, Clark Hunt — chairman and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs — shared his organization’s take on what’s to come next year regarding Kelce, and endorsed the tight end’s decision if he elects to play a 14th season.
“Well as an organization, we certainly hope that he will come back,” Hunt said in a guest spot on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
“He had another great year, maybe not on par with where he was four or five years ago, but still had over 800 yards, and was really one of the leaders on the offensive side of the ball for us. So there’s no doubt in my mind that he can still play,” he continued.
Hunt added, “We’re trying to be respectful and let him have the time that he needs to make a decision.”