St. Joseph, Missouri: Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy returns to practice

By Liam Tremblay — 11 August 2026 — 3 min read

Bieniemy’s return to practice

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy returned to the team’s training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Monday. This marked his first practice since his wife, Mia Bieniemy, was shot at their Virginia home on July 26. Bieniemy had been away from the team for approximately two weeks following the incident.

Upon his arrival at the fields at Missouri Western State University, Bieniemy was greeted by fans. He expressed his sentiment to well-wishers, stating, “It’s great to be back.” Head coach Andy Reid noted Bieniemy’s immediate engagement, saying, “I don’t think he missed a snap he was out there.”

Reid had maintained regular contact with Bieniemy during his absence, speaking with him multiple times daily. The coach emphasized that the primary concern was Mia Bieniemy’s stable condition and recovery. She was reported to be “doing better” and “keeps improving by the day” in the days following the shooting.

Family incident and continued engagement

The incident at the Bieniemy residence in Ashburn, Virginia, led to the arrest of the couple’s son, Elijah Bieniemy. He faces charges of malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling. Elijah Bieniemy’s court appearances have been postponed pending a mental health evaluation.

Despite his absence from in-person practice, Eric Bieniemy remained connected with the team. He watched livestreams of practice sessions and even contacted general manager Brett Veach during drills. On one occasion, Bieniemy asked Veach to hand the phone to Reid to relay instructions to a rookie running back, Emmett Johnson.

Reid highlighted Bieniemy’s consistent energy and competitive spirit. “He always brings the energy,” Reid stated, adding that once Bieniemy starts, he is fully immersed, comparing it to being in a game. Offensive players, including tight end Jake Briningstool, also acknowledged Bieniemy’s impact, describing his voice, coaching points, and energy as infectious.

Bieniemy’s coaching journey with the Chiefs

Bieniemy’s current role as offensive coordinator marks his return to the Kansas City Chiefs. He previously served as the offensive coordinator for the team from 2018 to 2022, during which the Chiefs reached three Super Bowls and secured two victories. During this period, Reid was the primary play-caller for the team.

Following his initial tenure with the Chiefs, Bieniemy took on the role of offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders in 2023. This move was seen as an opportunity for him to call his own plays and potentially advance towards a head coaching position in the NFL. However, the Commanders experienced difficulties during his single season there, leading to Bieniemy and the rest of the coaching staff being released.

Before rejoining the Chiefs, Bieniemy spent a season with UCLA and then coached running backs for the Chicago Bears last season. His return to Kansas City as offensive coordinator involved replacing Matt Nagy, who subsequently became the offensive coordinator for the New York Giants. Linebacker Nick Bolton expressed the team’s sentiment, stating, “Obviously it’s great to have him back. We missed him and prayed for his family when he was out.”

Source: theglobeandmail.com