Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has returned to the team’s training camp, approximately two weeks after a serious domestic incident at his Virginia home involving his son and wife. Bieniemy had been excused from his duties following the shooting that left his wife, Mia, with multiple gunshot wounds.

Bieniemy’s Return to Training Camp

Footage captured by reporters showed Bieniemy arriving at the Chiefs’ training facility, walking onto the field alongside former player Damien Williams. Upon his arrival, he expressed his feelings, stating, “It’s great to be back.” He was later seen embracing Chiefs broadcaster Mitch Holthus. The team shared a photo of Bieniemy on social media, captioning it “Happy to have EB back” with a heart emoji, signaling their support and relief at his return.

Bieniemy’s presence is significant for the Chiefs as he rejoined the team as offensive coordinator in the offseason. His return was met with enthusiasm by key players like quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, who have previously lauded his coaching impact.

The Domestic Incident

The incident occurred at Bieniemy’s home in Virginia on July 26. His son, Elijah Bieniemy, 27, was arrested and charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and discharging a firearm within a dwelling. The charges stem from an event where his mother, Mia, sustained serious injuries from several gunshot wounds.

According to reports from NBC Washington, Mia Bieniemy required surgery after a bullet struck her left forearm and shoulder, with fragments remaining in her body post-operation. Mia herself called 911 following the shooting. Dispatchers alerted responding officers to the fact that the son was believed to still be in possession of a weapon within the home at the time of the call.

Elijah Bieniemy’s Mental Health Evaluation

Following his arrest, Elijah Bieniemy was taken into custody and is being held without bond. A Virginia judge recently granted a motion for a formal mental health evaluation. This decision came after court documents filed by Elijah’s public defender indicated that he “appears to suffer from significant mental health issues.” A previously scheduled court hearing for August 31 has been postponed to accommodate the evaluation.

Prior Police Contacts

It has since been revealed that the July 26 incident was not the first time law enforcement had been involved with the Bieniemy household in recent months. Records indicate at least three separate instances of police contact originating from the home.

• July 24: Two days before the shooting, Elijah Bieniemy contacted the police himself. He reportedly complained that his parents were withholding his firearms. According to an incident report, he stated that as a “certified UFC fighter,” he felt unable to defend himself without his weapons. He also mentioned having a CPR license and expressed concern about his ability to help others if disarmed. His parents, he claimed, were insisting he surrender his firearms to continue living at their property.
• June 1: Loudoun County Deputies responded to a welfare check request for Elijah initiated by a counselor at a college where he was enrolled. Officers classified this response as non-urgent, determining that no weapons were accessible at the time of their visit.
• June 22: Another incident report, heavily redacted, was filed by the sheriff’s office concerning a suspicious circumstance at the address. The report involved two individuals whose descriptions matched Elijah and Mia Bieniemy. Police categorized this call as Stage 3, indicating an urgent but non-life-threatening situation.

Bieniemy’s Support for His Wife and Communication with the Team

Throughout his wife’s recovery process, Eric Bieniemy has been by her side. Despite the personal challenges, he maintained close contact with the Chiefs organization. He reportedly watched livestreams of team practices and provided feedback to the coaching staff. Head Coach Andy Reid acknowledged the situation, stating that while Bieniemy is a vital part of the team, his priority was to attend to his family matters. Reid expressed confidence in Bieniemy’s eventual return, saying, “Eric will be back soon enough to jump in there and do his thing, but he’s got to take care of that first.” The team kept him informed of all developments.

Coaching Impact and Season Outlook

Bieniemy’s coaching has been highly praised throughout his career. Travis Kelce has referred to him as “one of my favorite coaches of all time,” crediting him with a significant role in his player development. Bieniemy served as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2022 before returning to the role this offseason after a stint with the Washington Commanders in 2023.

With Bieniemy back at the helm of the offense, the Chiefs are preparing for the upcoming season. Their preseason schedule includes a game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, followed by their Week 1 regular-season matchup against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14.