As Chief OC, Eric Beniemi could be exactly what is needed.

In his last time with the Chiefs, Bienemi helped the offense finish no lower than sixth in points per game.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Last week, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes shared his thoughts on the qualities he would like to see in the team's next offensive coordinator.

After all, Mahomes knew that Matt Nagy, the Chiefs' offensive coordinator for the past three seasons, was not expected to return for the 2026 campaign. Nagy's contract expired earlier this month at the end of the Chiefs' disappointing season, and he has been in coaching talks for the past two weeks.

Mahomes thanked Nagy for helping him develop into one of the NFL's top quarterbacks.But minutes later, Mahomes provided a detailed list of who he hopes will be the next man to coach Andy Reid to help the Chiefs return to elite play.

"For me, I want someone who loves football, cares about football, wants to give everything to win, takes responsibility and brings new ideas every day," Mahomes said Thursday.he said."If you want to be great in this league we have to keep doing that.

"You have to keep developing. I want to get back to that winning culture of holding each other accountable and going out and playing great football every day, practice or game."

In 2018, when Mahomes first started, he learned many of those lessons from Eric Bienemee, who was the Chiefs' first offensive coordinator at the time.Eight years later, the trio of Reed, Mahomes and Byenemy could be working together again.The Chiefs on Monday requested permission from the Chicago Bears to interview Bienemy, their quarterbacks coach from last year, for their coordinator opening.Bienemi, who was Mahomes' coordinator from 2018-2022, was the only request the Chiefs made Monday, the day Reid could begin interviewing candidates in person.

Reid could see meeting Bieniemy as a clear way for the Chiefs offense to become one of the strongest teams in the league.In the past five years with the Chiefs, Bieniemy has helped the offense finish at least sixth in points per game.

In the second half of last season, several opponents - the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers - were able to expose a flaw in the Chiefs offense: they put more defensive backs on the field and still pressured Mahomes.There were several moments when Reid and Nagy struggled to come up with answers when faced with a man-to-man message from Mahomes.When his receivers couldn't get open, Mahomes tried to extend the play to make a big play.But he completed just 41% of his passes when under pressure, the lowest completion percentage of his career.

"One of the parts of being successful is that teams watch a lot of film on you, so we try to have good game plans on how to counter what you do and do well," Mahomes said last week.Making explosive games.

“You have to look at the whole picture and see if you can be good in every area.I'm ready to go out and do whatever it takes to be successful."

With the Bears this season, Beinimi has made a significant impact in Chicago's running attack.Under Bieniemy's guidance, running backs D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai helped the Bears to the second-best rushing record in the league.Swift, a six-year veteran, recorded a career-high 1,087 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns.Monangai, a seventh-round rookie, produced 947 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns.The Bears' 4.9 yard-per-carry average ranks third.

"He was a big influence," Monangai said of Bieniemy on Monday after the Bears' season finale.

"I just learned from him as a running backs coach, somebody who was a former [coordinator] and coached some great players, he definitely helped me a lot through OTAs when we first met until now."

The Chiefs know they need to make significant improvements to their running game and blocking system.

Even when the Chiefs have run the ball this season, their running backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt have been among the worst in the NFL.Although Hunt has been great in short games, the Chiefs haven't had much success in games at the same pace they used to.

"We're getting enough of a [defensive] reaction," the speech came a month ago during the Chiefs' "Pie-action" passing game."It may not be enough, or it may be the other way around.

"Somewhere you want to make some big plays in that area. Not three [or] four yards. Every now and then, you need to make some shots."

Throughout the season, the Chiefs' overall energy, focus, and concentration faltered at times, usually at key moments.One of the biggest reasons why the Chiefs didn't make it to the postseason was because they couldn't win games with a one-point lead, finishing them with a record of 1 win and 9 losses.In those losses, the Chiefs often committed more penalties than their opponents by dropping the ball unforced or making mental mistakes.

During his coaching career, Bienemy was known for demanding discipline from his players.He even meets the players during training or games to motivate them and remind them how to perform at their best.

Since becoming teammates, Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce have always expressed their love and admiration for Bieniemy's coaching style.

"I love watching them," Kelis said last month on the New Heights podcast, which he co-hosts with brother Jason Kelce.

As for new ideas, Bianiemi should have plenty to offer Reid and Mahomey.Bianiemi learned and helped implement the Bears' new scheme under first-year coach Ben Johnson, whose running attack was one of the most diverse in the league.

"EB has the same traits that made it successful in the past: working hard and holding people accountable," former senior head Mitchell Schwartz wrote on his X account on Monday.Everyone will be coached, with new ideas and concepts from one of the best and probably [B whoever the best RB coach].bring in a team).

"I had it on the list that I wanted [former Miami Dolphins coach] Mike McDaniel, but it's not realistic when your HC is Andy Reid. And for good reason. So bring back the guy who knows the previous system and can bring fresh, new ideas (see what I did there) from a leading offense."

The NFL NIFT Nation has provided Courty Cilin to this report.