Bears coach Ben Johnson raves about impact Eric Bieniemy had on Chicago’s offense
While talking with reporters this week at the NFL Combine, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach acknowledged the Chiefs need to have a more explosive rushing attack next season.
The Chiefs ranked 25th in the NFL in rushing last season and were 21st in yards per attempt, which is likely one reason why coach Andy Reid brought back Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator.
Bieniemy, who returned to the Chiefs in January, was the Bears’ running-backs coach last year, and Chicago was third in rushing yards and yards per attempt.
At the Combine, Bears head coach Ben Johnson talked about the impact Bieniemy had on running game and offense as a whole.
“We’ll miss (him) a ton,” Johnson told reporters. “The guy’s a phenomenal football coach, and you know that that coaching staff a year ago, and really similar to this year, is there are a lot of guys outside of my circle that I didn’t know very well, so he was really (hired) through reputation. We had a lot of productive conversations before he decided to come on board.
“And then I was just blown away from the impact he had, not only in that position room, which, you know, (D’Andre) Swift had probably the best year of his career. And then seventh rounder (Kyle) Monangai had a hell of a year himself.”
Johnson said the Bears will miss having Bieniemy in their facility.
“Not just that room, but the entire offense, he brings a demanding presence,” Johnson said. “The standard is the standard with Eric Bieniemy and, you know, those are big shoes to fill.”
That’s the kind of praise Chiefs fans must love to hear.
