Bears Rookie Shines Under Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy’s Coaching

The Kansas City Chiefs are reconnecting with Eric Bieniemy following a challenging 2025 season that led to substantial changes in the coaching staff. This reunion comes after Bieniemy’s successful tenure as the running backs coach for the Chicago Bears under head coach Ben Johnson.

Bears’ Success Under Bieniemy’s Leadership

During the 2025 season, the Bears achieved remarkable success, clinching the NFC North title and defeating the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. This success was largely driven by a potent offense that ranked among the top ten in the league.

• The Bears averaged a significant 4.9 rushing yards per attempt.
• D’Andre Swift, the lead running back, had a standout season, amassing 1,087 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
• Rookie running back Kyle Monangai emerged as a notable player, showcasing evident growth under Bieniemy’s guidance.

Monangai’s Rookie Performance

Monangai, a seventh-round draft pick, finished the regular season with 783 rushing yards, averaging fewer than 10 attempts per game. This performance ranked him 24th in rushing yards across the NFL and fifth amongst his rookie peers.

His breakout moment came in Week 7, where he averaged 6.2 yards per carry. Following this game, Monangai credited Bieniemy’s coaching style for his development. He stated, “I respond to the way he coaches, and I just take everything he does and try to apply to my game.” He emphasized the practical coaching advice he received, particularly the directive to “find four and a half yards per carry.” Bieniemy’s focus on immediate production empowers players to concentrate on each play’s success.

Impact on the Chiefs’ Future

In subsequent weeks, Monangai further showcased his skills with performances that included 176 rushing yards against the Cincinnati Bengals and 130 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles. Comparisons have been drawn between Monangai and former Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, but Bieniemy pointed to Kareem Hunt as a more fitting comparison due to their similarities in playing style.

With Bieniemy now at the helm of the Chiefs’ backfield, there’s potential for a significant turnaround after a subpar 2025 season. Monangai’s impressive total of 783 rushing yards would have led Kansas City in the previous two years. This highlights the urgent need for improvement, particularly in the run game, as Bieniemy works to enhance individual player performances within his offensive scheme.

As the Chiefs aim for success in the coming season, the focus on effective coaching and maximizing talent will be vital to their performance.