ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Eric Bieniemy, the Chiefs' offensive coordinator, returned to the team Monday after a two-week absence following the shooting of his wife, Mia. Bieniemy missed 11 practices after traveling to Virginia to be with his wife, who was allegedly shot by the couple's son at the family's home.
Mia Bieniemy, 57, was hospitalized July 26 and has remained in stable condition.
"It's good to have EB back," coach Andy Reid said. "He's back in the fold and I don't think he missed a step, man. He was out there and getting after it. That's a positive for the offensive side."
"I've talked to him several times a day, so I knew he was coming back if everything worked out the way he had been. The primary thing is that Mia is stable and in good hands and she's doing well."
A few days after the shooting, Reid shared that Mia Bieniemy was released from the intensive care unit. Police in Loudoun County, Virginia, confirmed that a woman was being treated for "serious injuries" from multiple gunshot wounds but did not disclose her identity.
Elijah Zion Bieniemy, 27, was arrested and charged July 27 with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony and discharge of a firearm inside of a dwelling, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. Sources told ESPN that Mia Bieniemy was shot in the chest and arm. Elijah Bieniemy is being held without bond at a detention center in Loudoun County.
During Eric Bieniemy's absence, pass game coordinator Joe Bleymaier took over the offensive coordinator's duties. But Bieniemy remained in communication with the Chiefs. He was able to watch last week's practices via a live stream to take notes and to deliver messages back, and he called general manager Brett Veach to send a coaching tip to Reid for rookie running back Emmett Johnson.
"That's the thing that is so refreshing to have back, to have that attention to detail," Veach said Thursday of Bieniemy, who rejoined the team after a previous stint as offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2022. "He demands that each player knows his assignment, and there's never a safe space with him."
Bieniemy had his usual one-on-one coaching moments during Monday's practice, including the pass-blocking drill for the running backs. The entire group of offensive linemen greeted Bieniemy -- each one shaking his hand.
"He's a great guy and very vocal," left guard Kingsley Suamataia said of Bieniemy. "He pushes us to our limits every day so we can be the best offense out there. It's been great."