As the Kansas City Chiefs approach potential changes on their offensive coaching staff, one former All-Pro is making a clear case for a familiar name. With Patrick Mahomes firmly in place and Matt Nagy’s contract expiring after the 2025 season, the focus has shifted to finding a coordinator who fits the Chiefs’ offensive structure and long-term goals.
Why Eric Bieniemy Best Fits the Chiefs’ Offensive Structure
Former Chiefs right tackle Mitchell Schwartz laid out his reasoning in a post on X, explaining why a return by Eric Bieniemy would represent the ideal outcome for Kansas City.
Schwartz framed the argument around Andy Reid’s role and how the Chiefs function offensively at the top.
“Getting EB back is the best outcome given that the HC is the OC and has offensive control,” Schwartz wrote. “EB brings the same traits that made him successful before: works his ass off and holds people accountable.”
Schwartz emphasized that Bieniemy’s value comes from understanding Reid’s system while also pushing players within it.
Bieniemy previously served as Kansas City’s offensive coordinator from 2018 through 2022, a stretch that included two Super Bowl championships and four AFC Championship Game appearances.
While Reid handled play-calling, Bieniemy played a significant role in day-to-day operations, game planning, and maintaining offensive standards.
“Getting EB back is the best outcome given that the HC is the OC (one of the best of all time) and has offensive control. EB brings the same traits that made him successful before: works his ass off and holds people accountable. This time he comes back with intimate knowledge of…
— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) January 19, 2026
The potential reunion comes at a time when Kansas City’s offense showed signs of slippage by its own standards.
The Chiefs ranked 17th on the PFSN NFL Offense Impact Rankings in the 2025-26 season, a middle-of-the-pack finish that highlighted the need for sharper execution and internal accountability despite having Mahomes under center.
Schwartz also pointed to Bieniemy’s growth since leaving Kansas City. After his time with the Chiefs, Bieniemy spent a season with Washington, followed by a year at UCLA, before joining Ben Johnson’s staff in Chicago.
Schwartz noted that Johnson’s system is stylistically opposite to what Kansas City runs, making Bieniemy’s exposure to new concepts particularly valuable.
“He comes back with intimate knowledge of Ben Johnson’s system,” Schwartz wrote, adding that the combination of familiarity and fresh ideas is challenging to match with an external hire.
Another area Schwartz highlighted was Bieniemy’s reputation as a demanding coach and developer, particularly at running back. He described Bieniemy as possibly the best running backs coach in the league and someone capable of pushing players hard while elevating performance across the offense.
Schwartz acknowledged that he had previously supported hiring Mike McDaniel, but said that option was unrealistic given Reid’s presence and control.
The Chiefs have requested permission to interview Bieniemy, and multiple insiders have indicated Kansas City has been preparing for a transition at offensive coordinator for weeks.
A reunion would provide stability for Mahomes while addressing the areas that stalled the offense during the 2025 season.
