Report: Eric Bieniemy Returning As KC Offensive Coordinator

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After weeks of deliberation, it appears that the Kansas City Chiefs and Eric Bieniemy have come to a mutual decision. The result is that nothing will change as far as his job title. ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed that Bieniemy would return as Chiefs offensive coordinator in 2022. The fact that he was returning to Kansas City was also initially reported by Matt Verderame of Fansided and Harold Kuntz of FOX4 News of Kansas City.

It will be Bieniemy’s fifth consecutive season in that role. He moved to Chiefs offensive coordinator in 2018, after originally serving as the team’s running backs coach under Andy Reid for five seasons (2013-17). Bieniemy also received this new opportunity after Matt Nagy had left to become the new head coach of the Chicago Bears in 2018.

The same season that Bieniemy became offensive coordinator, Patrick Mahomes began his run as Kansas City starting quarterback. It has obviously been a fruitful partnership between the two. For example, the Chiefs have hosted four straight AFC Championship Games. They made the Super Bowl in back-to-back seasons (2019, 2020), winning it all the first time around.

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Top Of The Food Chain

Let’s have a look at just how consistently dominant the Chiefs offense has been with Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator. In terms of points per game and yards per game, the unit has never ranked worse than 6th in the NFL by season’s end. The same goes for where they have finished in the passing touchdowns category. In those four seasons, Kansas City has also finished no worse than 5th in categories like passing yards and scoring percentage. The Chiefs have never finished worse than 4th in terms of points per drive either.

If anything, the running game has been up and down throughout those four seasons. That is somewhat ironic, given Bieniemy’s history as running backs coach. But we also know how often Coach Reid loves to sling it around the yard plenty of times during each game.

Mutual Respect

The reason for this delay or question on if Bieniemy would return to Kansas City, has been running rampant since the season ended. He bet on himself in 2021. For instance, Bieniemy only signed a one-year deal to return to the Chiefs after losing Super Bowl LV.

On the flip side, Bieniemy has continuously been a head coaching candidate for many NFL teams. The opportunity that he would finally land a head coaching gig could have also been a reason for reupping with the Chiefs on a one-year term. Bieniemy did in fact interview for two head coaching jobs this offseason (Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints). Amazingly, he has interviewed for head coaching jobs with 14 other NFL teams over the last four offseasons, and still has not landed anywhere.

Here are the teams Eric Bieneimy has interviewed for in four year cycle. 14 of 31 NFL teams not named the #Chiefs . pic.twitter.com/ncRolIPjkU

— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) February 7, 2022

Kansas City has always gladly taken Bieniemy back. However, their advocacy and push for him to get one of those jobs has been persistent. It has frankly not come to fruition time and time again. Furthermore, Coach Reid has always had glowing things to say about Bieniemy and has remained loyal to him.

Reported Tension?

Many items and ideologies have been thrust out there, as to why Eric Bieniemy may not have returned to the Chiefs in 2022. A possible rift between he and some of the offensive players has garnered plenty of attention. Although, the way in which Bieniemy speaks and talks must appeal to players greatly. Many of the players have come out to refute any possible rift that has been thrown out there.

Y’all really hating on EB 😂 shiii he one of the best coaches in the building 😤😤

— Ty Hill (@cheetah) February 17, 2022

If there is any item that could have given Bieniemy pause himself, it may have lied in the play calling duties. Coach Reid is always going to possess the most stroke of anyone on the coaching staff. Though, Bieniemy has received different kinds of chances in the play calling role. There are certainly more freedoms that he has been afforded as he has grown within the Chiefs building.

Does that get pulled back a bit in Reid’s favor in 2022? Or, will things remain status quo as to what we have become accustomed to recently? We don’t know that initially. But what we do know, is that Eric Bieniemy and the Chiefs will look to bounce back and adjust offensively in 2022.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles throughout this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.