A difficult week brought the Kansas City Chiefs some welcome news. Head coach Andy Reid shared that Mia Bieniemy, the wife of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, is improving while Eric remains with her in Virginia, away from training camp.

Reid gave the update during a press conference shared by the Chiefs on YouTube after the team’s first full-squad practice on Wednesday in St. Joseph, Missouri, July 29.

“She’s doing better and great, from where she was,” Reid said on Wednesday. “Out of the ICU unit and making progress.” 

Bieniemy returned to a familiar place in January this year, rejoining the Chiefs as offensive coordinator after previously spending a decade with Kansas City across two coaching roles.

Bieniemy is now away from the team after a serious family incident in Virginia involving his wife and their son, Elijah Zion Bieniemy, who was taken into custody as authorities continue to handle the case. For now, though, Reid has made it clear that Bieniemy’s family comes first.

“And EB’s still with her, and that part’s important, that’s taking place,” Reid said in the press conference shared by the Chiefs on their YouTube channel.

Kansas City has given Bieniemy the time he needs while keeping him connected with the coaching staff. Reid said Bieniemy can watch team film when he has spare time, but the Chiefs are not pushing him to return before he is ready.

Bieniemy served as the team’s running backs coach from 2013 to 2017 and offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2022.

As Bieniemy stays with his family, Kansas City has turned to its other coaches to keep training camp moving.

Chiefs adjust at training camp while Eric Bieniemy is away

Bieniemy’s absence comes at an important point for a team trying to improve after a 6-11 season, their worst since 2-14. Kansas City brought him back to help set stronger daily habits on offense, making his voice and teaching a major part of the team’s camp plan.

The Chiefs shifted coaching duties so players could keep working through the offense during his absence.

“It’s a different production in St. Joseph. Joe Bleymaier, typically the team’s passing game coordinator, is certainly capable of calling plays, a job he will take on while Bieniemy is away,” Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star wrote.

Joe Bleymaier has spent a decade with the Chiefs and has taken on many of Bieniemy’s duties. Offensive line coach Andy Heck brings years of experience, while Reid remains deeply involved with the offense and calls the plays on game days.

Kansas City can lean on veteran players, too. Patrick Mahomes knows Reid’s offense well, while Travis Kelce, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Rashee Rice, and Xavier Worthy give the unit experience as coaches adjust responsibilities during camp.

Can the Chiefs keep their offense on track until Bieniemy returns? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Shreya Mishra

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar