Former Kansas City Chiefs assistant finds new home in the National Football League with promising young quarterback

Former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has found his way back to the National Football League. After spending a season as the offensive coordinator for the UCLA Bruins, Bieniemy is back in the NFL, joining Ben Johnson's staff with the Chicago Bears as their running backs coach. Bieniemy spent a lot of time with the Chiefs. […]

Tyler Forness NFL & College Football News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Oct 16, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy talks with quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has found his way back to the National Football League.

After spending a season as the offensive coordinator for the UCLA Bruins, Bieniemy is back in the NFL, joining Ben Johnson's staff with the Chicago Bears as their running backs coach.


Bieniemy spent a lot of time with the Chiefs. He was the running backs coach from 2013 to 2017 and was promoted to offensive coordinator after the Bears hired Matt Nagy as their head coach.

Bieniemy's time with the Chiefs was contentious. However, he experienced great success, including winning two Super Bowls, the second of which came in his final season with the franchise. They mutually parted ways after 2022 and was hired by Ron Rivera to be the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders.

Things didn't go well in Washington D.C. With Sam Howell as the starting quarterback, the Commanders went 4-13 and were the 21st-ranked offense in the league. Bieniemy then spent the 2024 season helping out DeShaun Foster as the offensive coordinator at UCLA.


Coming back to the NFL is a good thing for Bieniemy and he does so in a position that he knows very well. Bieniemy was an All-American running back at the University of Colorado and played in the NFL for nine years. 

Bieniemy served as a running backs coach in multiple spots:

  • Colorado: 2001-2002
  • UCLA: 2003-2005
  • Minnesota Vikings: 2006-2010
  • Chiefs: 2013-2017

The Bears backfield will benefit from Bieniemy's experience and his time with the Chiefs will be helpful, including Caleb Williams, as he shares quite a few similar traits as Patrick Mahomes.