Washington Commanders assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy stands on the field during Commanders rookie minicamp at Commanders Park.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs brought Eric Bieniemy back as the offensive coordinator after he spent three years away from the organization. With the club in the middle of training camp, Travis Kelce reveals just how thrilled he is to have Bieniemy back in the building.
While talking with media members on Wednesday, the 36-year-old tight end claimed he missed the tenacity Bieniemy brings to the table from the coaching staff, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Kelce also admitted that the Chiefs failed to replace that level of determination in the past three seasons.
“One, you got intensity. Intensity is the first thing. And that intensity is infectious,” Kelce said about Bieniemy. “It makes you want to scream ‘Motherf***' at everybody doing the wrong thing. I love that s***. I don't think there's enough of that in this world, let alone in this building.
“I think [Bieniemy] is one of those guys where his accountability is gonna piss you off,” Kelce continued. “But if you treat it the right way and you act the right way, respond the right way with it, you're gonna become better [because] of it, and it's gonna make the team a better team because of it. It's one of those things I think we really missed here in Kansas City.”
#Chiefs TE Travis Kelce says Eric Bieniemy returning as OC has brought back tough love:
“The intensity is infectious. It makes you want to scream ‘motherf***’ at everybody doing the wrong thing. I love that sh*t. I don’t think there’s enough of that in this world, let alone in… https://t.co/MJ9XiDQ48A pic.twitter.com/t1tLNNg5XQ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 12, 2026
While Travis Kelce is happy to have Eric Bieniemy back with the franchise, the Chiefs did win two Super Bowls without the veteran offensive coordinator (2023, 2024). However, the offense was not nearly as productive as usual last season, and that may be why the four-time First-Team All-Pro is so ecstatic to have a familiar place back in the OC role.
Kelce finished the 2025-26 campaign with 76 receptions, 851 yards, and five touchdowns. It was the third-straight year he failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark.