Chiefs Coach Eric Bieniemy ‘Reaching Out More’ to Team as Wife Mia Recovers After Shooting

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is keeping in closer contact with his team following the July 26 incident that saw his son, Elijah, charged with shooting his wife, Mia. The shooting occurred in Ashburn, Virginia, and Mia was injured in the left forearm and shoulder with a .22 caliber firearm. Mia is currently in stable condition after being treated in the ICU, while Elijah, 27, was arrested and charged with three felonies stemming from the incident. The Chiefs head coach, Andy Reid, confirmed Mia's stable condition on July 29.

Eric Bieniemy, 56, had just returned to the team prior to the incident, having been set to begin his second stint with the Chiefs. His departure to be by his wife's side in Virginia came just over a week after the shooting. Chiefs pass game coordinator Joe Bleymaier, who has taken over many of Bieniemy's duties, expressed his appreciation for the coach's efforts, noting that his outreach has brought a sense of normalcy to the team.

Elijah is currently awaiting a mental health competency evaluation, and a preliminary hearing, originally scheduled for August 31, has been rescheduled to September 9. Bieniemy's tenure with the Chiefs was marked by three Super Bowl appearances and two titles during his 10-year tenure from 2013-2023. Despite leaving the team, the players and coaches are eager to have his intensity and dedication when he returns.