(By MATT PIKE)
Just two days after requesting to interview Eric Bieniemy, the current running backs coach for the Chicago Bears, the Kansas City Chiefs are set to hire and reunite with Bieniemy as their offensive coordinator.
Matt Nagy, the Chiefs' offensive coordinator the past three seasons, was not expected to return in 2026. His contract expired after the Chiefs finished 6-11 and missed the playoffs earlier this month, and he has spent the past two weeks going through coaching interviews across the league. With the position open, the Chiefs reached out to Bieniemy, who served as the offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2022.
Bieniemy was the lone interview request the Chiefs made Monday, the first day Reid could begin interviewing candidates in person. In his previous five seasons as the Chiefs' coordinator, Bieniemy helped the Kansas City offense finish no lower than sixth in points per game. In 2022, Bieniemy played a major role in Mahomes winning league MVP and the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl.
Bieniemy will once again face some major development objectives returning to the Chiefs, with improving the development of the Chiefs' skill-position players, such as receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. Kansas City will also hope he can help find more production in the run game from whomever the Chiefs have in the backfield next season.
Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt were among the NFL's worst. Pacheco didn't have a single rush of 20 or more yards while Hunt had just one. Both Hunt and Pacheco are currently set to become free agents in the offseason. With Dameon Pierce also becoming a free agent, Kansas City currently is carrying just Brashard Smith on their roster as well as ShunDerrick Powell who is currently signed to a futures contract.
Bieniemy made a significant impact during this season on Chicago's running attack, which was second best in the league with D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai carrying the ball. Kansas City could turn to the free agent market this offseason where running backs such as the New York Jets Breece Hall and the Seattle Seahawks Kenneth Walker III could be available among some of the names possibly to hit the free agent market following the Super Bowl.
(You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.)