His bountiful energy and trademark catch phrases in tow, Eric Bieniemy returned to Kansas City on Wednesday for his second stint as the Chiefs' Offensive Coordinator.
Bieniemy, who described himself as "a kid in a candy store" walking through the doors at One Arrowhead Drive, emphasized his appreciation for the Chicago Bears – where he served as Running Backs Coach last year – while also echoing his excitement to get started in Kansas City.
"You know, it was an opportunity to come home," Bieniemy said. "If Big Red picks up the phone, that's the only person who makes you say, 'You know what, it might be time to return home.' I'm fired up about it, and it's time to get back in the saddle."
It's a saddle that Bieniemy certainly knows well. A stalwart on Kansas City's coaching staff for 10 seasons from 2013 through 2022, Bieniemy – who played for Head Coach Andy Reid with the Eagles in 1999 – served as the Chiefs' Offensive Coordinator for five years beginning in 2018. He enjoyed significant success in that role, too, contributing to a Kansas City offense that led the NFL in points-per-game (30.1), yards-per-game (406.2), third-down efficiency (49%), and total touchdowns (296) during his tenure.
"I think we all know the energy that Eric brings, and what he gives to a football team," Reid said. "I think he's a great fit here, [and] I've had success with bringing guys back into the fold. There's good continuity, [and] there's good teamwork that goes on. I know everybody can function well together, and that becomes important to me."
Bieniemy's familiarity with both Reid and the Chiefs' culture is a major benefit in that regard as it will allow him to hit the ground running, but his experience away from Kansas City over the last three years may prove to be just as valuable. That time – which included stops with the Commanders, UCLA and the Bears – was an opportunity to not only grow as a coach, but also as a collaborator.
"You learn a lot about yourself," Bieniemy said. "Just the dynamic of working with people and learning how to communicate and articulate your plan – I think all of that helps. Any experience that you've had, whether it's good or bad, is something that we can learn from. I've learned a lot over the years."
Still, despite his travels elsewhere, the core attributes that make Bieniemy the coach that he is – most notably his booming insistence on finishing each and every play – remain just as fans likely remember them.
"There are some things about me that have changed, but more than anything, EB is EB," Bieniemy said. "We'll be disciplined and detailed in everything in how we handle our business, and there's a standard of performance and a standard of excellence that will be expected. On top of that, there's been a wealth [of knowledge] that I've learned through the good and the bad, and [it's] helped me to grow into this role and to be in this situation again."
That blend of experience will be relied upon soon enough as Kansas City aims to bounce back from its worst finish in the standings in more than a decade. Specifically, Bieniemy will be tasked with rejuvenating a running game that produced the fewest rushes of 20+ yards in the NFL last season.
Fortunately, the former running back is coming off a campaign in which he guided Chicago to the third-most rushing yards in the league. He oversaw the best season of veteran running back D'Andre Swift's career as part of that effort, and behind Swift, rookie tailback Kyle Monangai racked up nearly 1,000 yards from scrimmage.
That success is nothing new for Bieniemy, and now back in town, he accentuated his readiness to get going with – right on cue – another one of his familiar phases.
"I'm looking forward to getting back to the grind and chopping some wood," Bieniemy said. "I want to hit the ground running."
