The Kansas City Chiefs are entering a fascinating offseason where the direction of their franchise will likely be altered a bit, from Patrick Mahomes' injury to Travis Kelce's potential retirement. Despite sights being set on the future, Andy Reid and company are bringing in a familiar voice to help guide their offense.
Eric Bienemy is set to return to Kansas City as offensive coordinator, per Tom Pelissero, going back to the role he held with the franchise from 2018-22.
With Matt Nagy's contract reportedly up as he pursues head coaching roles, it will be Bienemy alongside Reid on the sidelines in 2026.
Here's what to know about Bienemy returning to the Chiefs.
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Why is Eric Bienemy returning to the Chiefs?
According to Pelissero, the Chiefs put in a request to interview Bieniemy on Monday, but there's "not much to discuss," as Reid already plans to bring him back as offensive coordinator. In Bienemy, Kansas City knows exactly what it will be getting: a proven coordinator who has worked with Mahomes a ton and helped lead the franchise to multiple Super Bowl titles.
Bienemy departed from the Chiefs in February 2023, joining the Commanders as an assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. It brought his four-year run as OC and nine-year run overall with the Chiefs to an end; it was Nagy who filled Bienemy's vacancy in Kansas City.
However, according to Pelissero, Nagy's contract is expiring this offseason, and he has also been getting plenty of interviews for open head coaching roles. With Nagy set to depart from the Chiefs one way or another, Reid kept his replacement process simple by reconnecting with Bienemy.
For Bienemy, it's hard not to see the appeal of returning to the Chiefs, where he won two Super Bowls as a head coach. He didn't find quite as much success with the Commanders (2023) at UCLA as an assistant head coach and offensive coordinator (2024) or with the Bears as a running backs coach (2025), and he now has the opportunity to lead Mahomes again in 2026, once the quarterback returns from his knee injury.
Eric Bienemy coaching timeline
Here's a full look at Eric Bienemy's years as a football coach.
Thomas Jefferson High School (CO), assistant coach, 2000
Bienemy, who was a running back in the NFL from 1991-99 with the Chargers, Bengals and Eagles, began his coaching career at Thomas Jefferson High School in Colorado.
After one year, he'd make a jump to the collegiate level in the same state.
Colorado, running backs coach, 2001-02
The Colorado Buffaloes, Bienemy's alma mater, hired him as their running backs coach in 2001, and he spent two seasons with the team.
UCLA, running backs coach and recruiting coordinator, 2003-05
Bienemy remained in college by taking his same running backs coach role at UCLA in 2003. In the 2005 season, he also served as the Bruins' recruiting coordinator.
Minnesota Vikings, assistant head coach and running backs coach, 2006-10
In 2006, Bienemy made the leap to the NFL, joining the Vikings as a running backs coach. In his time with the Vikings, Adrian Peterson had 1,341 rushing yards in 2007 and 1,760 in 2008, leading the NFL.
Bienemy was given a promotion to assistant head coach for Minnesota in 2010.
Colorado, offensive coordinator, 2011-12
Bienemy made a return to Colorado in 2011, one decade after his previous stint began. This time, he was the Buffaloes' offensive coordinator.
Coaching under Jon Embre, Bienemy spent two seasons leading Colorado's offense.
Kansas City Chiefs, running backs coach and offensive coordinator, 2013-22
Once again, Bienemy returned to the NFL in 2013. He was hired by new Chiefs head coach Andy Reid to be Kansas City's running backs coach, and that formed a duo that would stick for the most successful era in franchise history.
In 2018, Bienemy was promoted to offensive coordinator, and that season, the Chiefs ranked first in the NFL in yards per game and points scored. Mahomes became the second quarterback in league history throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in a season.
Bienemy would win two Super Bowls as Reid's OC, helping lead the Chiefs to Lombardi Trophies in 2019 and 2022.
Washington Commanders, assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, 2023
In February 2023, Bienemy opted to leave the Chiefs for a role where he would have full playcalling duties, something he didn't have under Andy Reid. The Commanders gave him that shot, and Bienemy became the lead assistant to Ron Rivera.
However, the Commanders struggled in his lone season there. Washington went 4-13, and Rivera parted ways with the franchise after the season. Bienemy was not retained by Dan Quinn, the team's new head coach.
UCLA, assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, 2024
Bienemy made another return to college for the 2024 season, going back to UCLA as an assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.
However, he was later dismissed in December 2024 after UCLA finished 5–7, ranking 117th nationally in yards per game and 126th in points per game.
Chicago Bears, running backs coach, 2025
Most recently, Bienemy spent the 2025 season as the running backs coach for the Bears. It was a successful season for Chicago's run game under the coach.
The Bears ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards per game with 144.5, helping power a team that won the NFC North and won a playoff game for the first time in years.
Kansas City Chiefs, offensive coordinator, 2026-present
Bienemy is now making a return to the Chiefs, where his most successful seasons as a coach have come. Coincidentally, the first time he was named Kansas City's offensive coordinator in 2018, it was due to Matt Nagy's departure to be the head coach of the Bears.
Now, with Nagy once again set to leave the Chiefs for a potential head coaching job, Bienemy reclaims his old role as Reid's top offensive mind.
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