Eric Bieniemy is set to return to the NFL. The Bears are hiring him as their running backs coach, as first reported by CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. 
Bieniemy was out of the NFL in 2024, working as UCLA’s offensive coordinator. He and the team parted ways after a single season (in which the team’s offense did not produce as expected), however, opening the door for another opportunity in the pro ranks. Indeed, it became clear in December Bieniemy was aiming for an NFL gig during the 2025 hiring cycle.
Since then, it has been learned the 55-year-old interviewed with the Patriots for their offensive coordinator gig. Interest from other teams was expected, and now the Bears are set to proceed with a hire. This will be Bieniemy’s first position other than OC since 2017, dating back to his time with the Chiefs.
After a five-year stint in that role, Bieniemy took on offensive coordinator duties in Kansas City. Although he did not call plays during that time, his work as OC drew praise with the team ranking between first and sixth in scoring each of the five seasons he was in that role. In 2023, Bieniemy took the Commanders’ coordinator gig (one which included play-calling duties) but his Sam Howell-led unit did not post strong numbers. Only one year removed from that showing, though, he has rebounded with a notable role on Ben Johnson‘s staff.
Johnson and Bieniemy have not worked together in the past, but the latter represents another experienced addition to the former’s initial Chicago staff. Former Jaguars OC Press Taylor will work as the Bears’ pass-game coordinator, giving them another veteran coach who has called plays in the past. First-time offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, along with Johnson (who will call plays) will have another experienced staffer to lean on in 2025.
In other Bears coaching news, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports tight ends coach Jim Dray will be retained. As expected, several members of the previous staff – including interim head coach and defensive coordinator Eric Washington – were not kept in place upon Johnson’s arrival as head coach. With Dray sticking around, however, he will spent at least one season as part of Chicago’s new-look staff. The 38-year-old has been with the Bears since 2022.
Makes sense that a first time head coach from an offensive background who just hired an offensive coordinator under 30 would want someone around who definitely has the chops to manage a staff, a roster, and an install.
Some trajectory here, was an OC that didn’t call plays, Head Coach in the making that stalled and is now taking a position coach gig.
So Johnson hires a former OC who was passed over a bunch of times and is probably bitter as a lemon about it, And a 29 year old OC who has no experience at all. Does anyone else see a problem here? Or rather, The problem that is about to happen? How long do you think Bienemy will keep his mouth shut considering he used to give Andy Reid grief. I’ve got a bad feeling about the whole thing. It’s a confusing array of talent here.
You seem to be assuming some things you don’t need to here.
I’d leave a respond but I’m too bitter…lol.
I can understand how those dots can be connected to draw your conclusions. That can be a concern. But look at some other teams like the Lions. They just hired David Shaw who pretty much done it all across the college and NFL landscape and now he’s a passing game coordinator after being in Denver’s front office. We’ll just have to watch and listen how this plays out. But yeh, Johnson’s assembling a most eclectic cast of characters on the offensive side. Could be genius-Could be madness.
It’s pretty simple. If you want the HC candidate that is most in demand by other teams, then you’re going to have to concede to a lot of his demands. If during the interview you don’t like the add-on coaches someone like Johnson might be considering, then you don’t have to offer him the job.
Obviously Bienemy can do the job. But there is a reason he never got the big job. And I’m just thinking that’s not the way it works in the real world. At least not very well in my experience. Most companies don’t hire an over qualified person to work for an inexperienced one for that reason. In fact, Most companies don’t hire over qualified people at all. It’s not that I’m saying it’s not going to work out. Obviously I’m not in the room. Hopefully Johnson knows something about it I don’t. I just think a first time HC would want as little drama as possible. Again hopefully Bienimi is thankful for the job when he wasn’t even being considered for an OC job when everybody was playing musical chairs.
Kinda puts Jeanty back in the frame for #10. The obvious need is for an OT. I said before the only guy I would consider at 10 BESIDES an OT would be Jeanty. He could take as much pressure off Williams as an OT. Also puts Simmons on the table too although I’m generally not in favor of drafting injured players, Plus that’s never been super productive for the Bears. See Chris Williams, Kevin White , Tevin Jenkins. The Bears do have a decent LT( Jones) they can start off with until he’s fully healed. Amagedjie didn’t work out particularly well as a rookie and hopefully he’s working out all off season. It’s going to make the OL coach hire maybe the most important hire of them all. Swift and Jeanty could make a dynamic duo, If they can still beef up the line.