Patrick Mahomes Credits Eric Bieniemy for Bringing Energy and Discipline Back to Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes is reunited with his former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy for the first time since 2023 when he left to coach the Commanders offense.

Patrick Mahomes Credits Eric Bieniemy for Bringing Energy and Discipline Back to Chiefs

#15 Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy (Image via IMAGO/X)

In Short
  • Patrick Mahomes credits Eric Bieniemy for revitalizing the Chiefs' energy and discipline.
  • Bieniemy returns as offensive coordinator after a stint with the Washington Commanders and UCLA.
  • Mahomes aims to start in week one of the 2026 season following ACL surgery, expressing strong determination.

As speculated, Patrick Mahomes attended the first day of the Kansas City Chiefs OTAs just five months removed from undergoing ACL reconstruction surgery. Waiting for Mahomes at the Chiefs was a familiar face: Eric Bieniemy.

The Chiefs brought back Bieniemy earlier in the year as the team’s new offensive coordinator, moving away from Matt Nagy, who served the club for four seasons (2022-2025).

Of course, this isn’t Bieniemy’s first rodeo with the Chiefs. Veterans like Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and running back Kareem Hunt are familiar with Bieniemy’s methods. The same can’t be said for the newer members.

I’m not going to say he’s taking it easy — he’s pushing the guys, but he holds them to a standard. They haven’t had those days — it’s usually training camp when guys get tired, and they lose that will to finish and do all the exact right things, and that’s when EB’s going to hold you to that standard. We haven’t gotten there yet, but as long as you keep having good practices, we can prolong that as long as possible.

Patrick Mahomes said via Matt Foster of KSHB41

KC hired Bieniemy for the first time as the running backs coach in 2013 and made him the OC in 2018. He remained the offensive play caller until the 2022 season before joining the Washington Commanders in 2023. He left the nation’s capital after just one year and ditched the NFL for college football, agreeing to become the assistant head coach and OC at UCLA. In 2025, the Chicago Bears‘ new head coach, Ben Johnson, convinced the veteran to coach the running backs.

The Chiefs parted ways with Nagy and re-appointed Bieniemy as the new OC. Nagy accepted the same role with the New York Giants.

Patrick Mahomes played his best football with Eric Bieniemy calling the offensive plays

In Bieniemy’s first year as the Chiefs’ OC, Mahomes became only the second quarterback after Peyton Manning to throw for 5000+ passing yards, and he contributed 50 passing touchdowns. Mahomes won the league MVP crown and an appearance in the conference title game, where the Chiefs lost to the New England Patriots.

Patrick Mahomes Credits Eric Bieniemy for Bringing Energy and Discipline Back to Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (Image via IMAGO)

The following year, Mahomes played 14 games (11-3), but made it into the Super Bowl and won his first ring. KC reached the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year, but were defeated in the final by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Two years later, in 2022, Mahomes, for the second time in his career, crossed 5000 passing yards, threw 41 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. In the Super Bowl, KC defeated the Philadelphia Eagles. Mahomes won his second ring, the league, and Super Bowl MVP titles.

Mahomes played in the Super Bowl a couple of times after Bieniemy left and even tasted victory in one of them. However, he could never produce the same numbers again. With Bieniemy back in the building again, there’s growing optimism that the 30-year-old will rediscover his old form.

Patrick Mahomes sheds light on whether he can start in week one

Mahomes suffered an ACL tear while playing against the Los Angeles Chargers. A couple of days later, he flew to Dallas to have surgery and checked himself into rehab. On Thursday, Mahomes attended his first team practice since the surgery. There’s optimism in the building that the three-time world champion will be available to start for the Chiefs in week one of the 2026 season.

Mahomes also has the same goal.

That’s always going to be the goal. I don’t want to miss games. I mean, as a competitor, as a football player, I want to be there. I know it’s still a long ways away. I can’t predict the future. So, all I can do is be great today and then continue to be great tomorrow.

Mahomes told the reporters

If he fails in his endeavor, then the Chiefs have him covered. They trade for former Bears, Steelers, and Jets quarterback Justin Fields. KC also drafted LSU alum Garrett Nussmeier.

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