Eric Bieniemy will join Johnson’s staff as the Chicago Bears’ running backs coach in 2025. Despite mixed results in recent years, Bieniemy remains highly respected as one of the league’s top offensive assistants, giving Johnson plenty of reasons to be excited about the hire.
“He’s going to coach the hell out of these running backs,” Johnson said, via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. “That’s what he does. I had probably half a dozen people who have worked with him text me and say, ‘You just hired the best running backs coach in the NFL.’”
After spending the last seven seasons as an offensive coordinator, Bieniemy returns to coaching running backs exclusively for the first time since 2017. He first made a name for himself in the role with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he mentored standout backs like Jamaal Charles and Kareem Hunt. Under Bieniemy’s guidance, Hunt led the NFL in rushing yards as a rookie in 2017.
His success as a position coach led to a promotion to Chiefs offensive coordinator in 2018. Over the next several seasons, he played a key role in Kansas City’s offense, contributing to two Super Bowl victories. Praise from Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes even positioned him as a potential head coaching candidate.
However, instead of securing a head coaching job, Bieniemy took over as the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator in 2023. His success didn’t translate in Washington, and after a disappointing season, the franchise moved on from head coach Ron Rivera. New hire Dan Quinn opted not to retain Bieniemy, leading him to his new role with the
Bears.
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