Eric Bieniemy Returns to Chiefs Training Camp Two Weeks After Wife’s Shooting
Eric Bieniemy walked back onto the practice field in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Monday. It was his first day back with the Kansas City Chiefs since he left camp on July 26 to be with his wife, Mia, after she was shot at their home in Ashburn, Virginia.
Matt Derrick shared video of the moment on X, showing Bieniemy greeted with a hug from Mitch Holthus, the Chiefs’ longtime play-by-play announcer. “Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy back at practice Monday, getting a hug from voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus,” Derrick posted
Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy back at practice Monday, getting a hug from voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus. pic.twitter.com/xKmSjsUQtu
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) August 10, 2026
KCTV5’s Marleah Campbell captured similar footage from the field, describing “lots of hugs all around” as Bieniemy reconnected with players and coaches.
Bieniemy had missed 11 training camp practices, according to Pro Football Rumors. He stayed involved from a distance, watching live streams of practice and giving feedback to the staff even while he was a thousand miles away, per Football Scoop. Pass game coordinator Joe Bleymaier ran the offense on the field in his absence.
What happened to Mia Bieniemy
Loudoun County sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported shooting at a home in Ashburn at roughly 7:32 p.m. ET on July 26, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, via ESPN. They found a woman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds; she was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. Authorities have not officially named the victim, but multiple outlets, including NFL.com and ESPN, identified her as Mia Bieniemy, 57.
The couple’s 27-year-old son, Elijah Zion Bieniemy, was arrested and charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling, the sheriff’s office confirmed. He remains held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. Court records show his next scheduled court date is a preliminary hearing on Aug. 31.
Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman said Mia Bieniemy called 911 herself after the shooting. “We have to go through an entire investigation to determine where everybody was, what they did, what prompted it, and how it all transpired,” Chapman said, according to 7News WJLA. Investigators have not disclosed a motive. Chapman said there had been no previous incidents reported at the home.
Mia Bieniemy’s recovery
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Friday that Mia continues to improve. “Mia continues to improve, which is important,” Reid said, via ESPN’s Nate Taylor. “We’re heading in the right direction. When [Eric Bieniemy] gets back, he gets back here.” By Monday, according to NBC Sports, Mia was out of the ICU and recovering — improvement Reid pointed to as a factor that allowed Eric to leave Virginia and rejoin the team.
Reid has repeatedly framed the situation with a mix of candor and restraint since the shooting first happened. “I can’t get into details on it, but things happen sometimes, and Eric will work through it,” Reid said in late July, according to Chiefs Digest. “He’s got a great support group here, as does his family as needed.”
Bieniemy’s second stint as Chiefs OC
Bieniemy is back in a role he knows well. He served as Kansas City’s offensive coordinator from 2018 through the 2022 season, working alongside Reid and Patrick Mahomes through two MVP campaigns and two Super Bowl titles. He left after the 2022 season to become the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator and assistant head coach in 2023, then spent 2024 as UCLA’s assistant head coach and offensive coordinator before taking the Chicago Bears’ running backs coach job in 2025. The Chiefs brought him back this offseason for a second run as offensive coordinator.
His return puts him back with Mahomes and the offense ahead of a season Kansas City hopes ends with another Super Bowl run. The Chiefs open the preseason Saturday at home against the Los Angeles Rams.
