Chicago Bears reportedly set to hire Eric Bieniemy as running backs coach

The Bears and head coach Ben Johnson reportedly added to their offensive coaching staff Saturday, hiring Eric Bieniemy as their new running backs coach. CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones was the first to report the hiring.

Bieniemy will return to the NFL after spending a season away this past fall as UCLA’s assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. He was once considered to be a potential head coach candidate after winning two Super Bowls as the Kansas City Chief’s offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2022.

After leaving the Chiefs in 2023 to become the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator with the Washington Commanders, new Commanders head coach Dan Quinn didn’t retain Bieniemy when he took over last offseason. He had previously served as a running backs coach at the collegiate level with Colorado and UCLA before moving to the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and the Chiefs.

Bieniemy will try to rejuvenate a Bears' running attack that took a step back last season. Chicago ranked 25th in the NFL with 1,734 rushing yards and 102 rushing yards per game.

D’Andre Swift led the Bears with 959 rushing yards on 253 carries and six touchdowns. Quarterback Caleb Williams finished second on the team with 489 rushing yards on 81 carries while Roschon Johnson added 150 yards on 55 carries.