Andy Reid lieutenant left jobless as Chiefs coach reveals how Patrick Mahomes will benefit from shakeup

Andy Reid wants to turn things around in Kansas City — and he will do it with the help of a familiar face in 2026.

This season was a struggle for the once all-conquering Chiefs, who finished with a 6-11 record and lost Patrick Mahomes to a torn ACL in mid-December.

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While KC’s offense appeared to stutter long before their star quarterback went down, they are expected to lose offensive coordinator Matt Nagy to a head coach role.

Nagy has served as the Chiefs’ OC for the past three years, and has already interviewed with the Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens, which all have openings.

He also spoke to the Philadelphia Eagles about their vacancy at OC last week, after Kevin Patullo was dismissed.

As it stands, Nagy is out of the job — but the Chiefs wasted little time in replacing him.

Eric Bieniemy is back for 2026, having spent a decade in Kansas City between 2013 and 2023.

He first served as running backs coach, before Reid promoted him to OC in 2018.

In that role, Bieniemy saw tremendous success with the offense, which ranked no lower than sixth in the NFL in scoring during his five seasons.

Bieniemy’s stint included two Super Bowl titles and a run to a third, while he also helped QB Mahomes win regular-season MVP honors on two occasions.

Now, ‘Big Red’ expects him to work that kind of magic again.

Andy Reid expects returning Eric Bieniemy to elevate Patrick Mahomes

Speaking on Monday, the Chiefs HC was fired up about Bieniemy’s appointment, and noted he will bring a new energy to the team.

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“I mean, he brings it,” Reid told reporters.

“Patrick knows him, first of all. And then I will tell you, EB will be very direct with him, like he does with everybody. And everybody he knows.

“It’s coming from a place of knowledge there. And Patrick, you guys could take this whole thing a couple of different ways — so I want to make sure we’re saying this right — Patrick loved Nags.

“And he also loves EB. This isn’t an either-or deal. It’s one guy having to replace another guy, but that’s not what this is about. But I want to make sure Nags gets his shout-out here too, and that EB gets his for coming in here.”

Reid went on to reveal how Bieniemy’s return will help elevate his players, including Mahomes.

“I think Pat probably said it best, right? We’ve always had accountability here, with or without Eric,” he continued.

“You’re responsible for certain things, and so whoever is coming in better be feeling that.

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“And there’s a certain standard that you’re going to hold each other to, and I’m sure that’s what Patrick was, without quizzing him here, I would tell you that that’s probably what he was saying.”

‘Big Red’ wasted no time in praising the incoming Bieniemy, and as he discussed offseason plans, he also took a moment to pay tribute to Nagy as well.

Andy Reid makes feelings clear on departing Matt Nagy

He spent several minutes advocating for the departing OC to be hired as a head coach once again.

“Matt and I have a great relationship,” Reid said of Nagy.

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“Before the season even started here, I knew that he wanted an opportunity to have his own show. He’s been a head coach. He was Coach of the Year (in 2018). All the things I’ve said about him I still feel about him.

“He deserves to have a head coaching job. If not, it gives him an opportunity to go out and do his thing. I mean, somebody is missing a gem here.

“That’s how I feel. I would love to see him get picked up and going.

“At the same time, we got back a gem (in Bieniemy). It has a chance to be a win-win here when everything is said and done.”

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