Chiefs ‘agree deal for Eric Bieniemy to return’ in move that could have huge impact on Travis Kelce’s future
After slogging through one of the worst seasons in the Patrick Mahomes-Andy Reid era, the Kansas City Chiefs are bringing a familiar face back into the fold.
2025 was one of the lowest campaigns for offensive production in the Chiefs’ dynasty period – with Mahomes getting injured, Travis Kelce struggling and the team putting up a record of 6-11.
But now the team is bringing back a key piece from two of their Super Bowl-winning campaigns.
Eric Bieniemy is set to return to Kansas City as the team’s offensive coordinator, according to multiple reports.
The move has received praise from Chiefs players, including Mahomes – who posted a picture of the two from their previous shared tenure in Kansas City to his Instagram Story along with a few flexing emojis.
Bieniemy was with the Chiefs from 2013 to 2022 and was promoted from running backs coach to offensive coordinator in 2018 – leading the Chiefs’ offense to victories in Super Bowl LIV and Super Bowl LVII.
The Kansas City Chiefs are tipped to bring Eric Bieniemy back as their offensive coordinator
His return comes after Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs failed to make the playoffs
Mahomes appeared to react positively to the news of Bieniemy’s return to the team
During his time in KC, Bieniemy’s stature rose as one of the assistant coaches that most deserved a shot at an NFL head coaching job.
But that never came to be after he departed the Chiefs to take the assistant head coach/offensive coordinator position with the Washington Commanders. That Commanders team finished a putrid 4-13 – leading to the firing of head coach Ron Rivera.
After newly-installed head coach Dan Quinn chose not to bring Bieniemy onto his staff, he jumped to UCLA to take the same role he had with the Commanders. But his time in Westwood ended with a firing as the Bruins’ offense struggled.
Bieniemy returned to the NFL in 2025 – spending the season as the running backs coach for the Chicago Bears.
Now he’s back at Arrowhead Stadium, which could be a major factor in Kelce’s looming decision to retire.
It turns out, the five seasons where Bieniemy led the Chiefs offense were the five best statistical campaigns of Kelce’s career.
Bieniemy’s return could be a deciding factor in Travis Kelce’s decision to retire
Not only did he finish each season with at least 1,100 receiving yards, but he caught double-digit touchdown passes the only three times in his career.
Kelce must have caught wind of Bieniemy’s arrival, revealing on the ‘New Heights’ podcast that he ‘can’t wait’ for his return.
‘I can’t wait to see [Bieniemy] back in the building man,’ Kelce said. ‘He’s one of my favorite coaches of all time. One of my favorite people of all time.
‘I’ve had so many unbelievable growing moments under him as a player, as a person. I just love the guy and it’s going to be awesome to see him back in the building and see him back wearing the Chiefs logo.’
