Chiefs News 1/30: Chiefs graded B- for hiring Eric Bieniemy
Nov 7, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy leaves the field after defeating the Green Bay Packers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn ImagesThe latestOffensive coordinator: Eric Bieniemy
Grade: B-DeArdo:Like an old sitcom trying to relive its glory days, theChiefsare clearly hoping Bieniemy can help them get back to what they once were.
From a familiarity standpoint, this makes a ton of sense. While histough love coaching styleisn't for everyone, Bieniemy clearly has a strong working relationship withPatrick Mahomes, and that's a big deal. If Bieniemy can help Mahomes return to MVP form, that's what matters most.
That said, a coach is only as good as his players.Travis Kelcewill be 37 next season, and Mahomes will be 31. Kansas City also doesn't have anyone who can replicate whatTyreek Hillgave them during their first Super Bowl run. In short, Bieniemy will have to adjust to what the Chiefs are now, not what they used to be.
2 Reasons McCullough Isn't a Lock as Chiefs RB Coach | Sports Illustrated
2. Kubiak watch
And if the Raiders win the Kubiak sweepstakes, they might want to give him the opportunity to keep McCullough, widely regarded as one of the NFL's top running backs coaches.
Related to that, because teams can't hire Kubiak until after the Super Bowl, they'd be reducing the time he has to hire his first coaching staff. That's a reason the Raiders, and Cardinals for that matter, might want to decline interview requests for coaches under contract until hiring their head coaches.
Ashton Gillotte's rookie year may force Chiefs into bold offseason cut | Arrowhead Addict
That means the Chiefs' defensive ends currently under contract for next season are Karlaftis, Gillotte, Danna, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who has underwhelmed and is coming off an injury. When you look at it that way, Gillotte is clearly Kansas City's second-best defensive end under contract for next season. However, the Chiefs simply can't enter the season with him as their No. 2 defensive end.
The Chiefsmustfind an upgrade at defensive end opposite George Karlaftis, particularly on passing downs. Gillotte seems better suited for Danna's former role as an early-down run stopper who comes off the field (or kicks inside) on passing downs. Consequently, the Chiefs could save almost $9 million by releasing Danna this offseason. As a rookie, Gillotte generated more pressure and graded out stronger against the run than Danna did.
Predicting 10 big-name NFL trade candidates and the teams that will cut a deal | FanSided
Around the NFLCB Trent McDuffie
Landing spot: Washington CommandersTrent McDuffie hopes to reset the cornerback market in the next year, which puts his Chiefs future in doubt. The 25-year-old missed four games this season, but still logged an interception along with 63 tackles, doing his part despite Kansas City's collective collapse. The Chiefs still have tons of long-term money on the books and probably don't want to hand McDuffie a record-breaking contract, which sets the wheels in motion for a trade.
Enter theWashington Commanders. Dan Quinn has proven his ability to lead a great defense, but Washington just bled points last season. The roster is way too old, and the DB room features more than its share of question marks. McDuffie can come in, in the prime of his career, and give the Commanders a new long-term staple on the outside. Lest we forget, the Commanders are only a year removed from an appearance in the NFC Championship Game.
Bills' Josh Allen expects to be ready for OTAs after foot surgery | ESPN
He was on crutches with his right foot in a walking boot following surgery Monday morning in Birmingham, Alabama. The surgery was done on a broken bone in his foot - the fifth metatarsal. Allen, 29, said the injury stemmed from an older incident that he aggravated in a Week 16 win over theCleveland Browns. He did not miss any playing time due to the injury, though the reigning MVP described it as painful.
Allen did have to decline his appearance at the Pro Bowl Games during Super Bowl week due to injury.
It's a little painful right now, but it wasn't a crazy surgery," Allen said. So not too long [of a recovery]. OTAs, I'll be back and [it] shouldn't hinder anything."
Sean decided to move on, and I guess that's all there is to say," Lombardi told Tomasson in a phone interview. I don't think it's ever a surprise (in the NFL). Not really. ... I think you could tell he (Payton) was in one of those moods where he felt like some changes needed to be made and I guess he decided one of those was me. So I've been around him long enough to kind of read the tea leaves, I guess."
Lombardi joined the Broncos when Payton was hired in 2023. He'd been with Payton, on and off, throughout his NFL career, spending 12 years under him across two stints with the New Orleans Saints.
Falcons restructure Kirk Cousins' contract, will likely release him by March: Source | The Athletic
In case you missed it on Arrowhead PrideAtlanta converted Cousins' 2026 salary from $35 million to $2.1 million, according to a league source, moving the leftover $32.9 million to his 2027 base salary, making his base salary for that season $67.9 million. The move essentially guarantees Cousins will be released before March 13 because that entire $67.9 million would be due to him if he's still on the roster then.
Releasing Cousins with a post-June 1 designation would cost theFalcons$35 million of dead cap hit, which can be split into two payments of $22.5 million (2026) and $12.5 million (2027). This week's move frees up some of that money earlier for Atlanta.
Cousins said Sunday that he wants to return for a 15th NFL season in 2026 and would be open to continuing to play in Atlanta.
I'd like to keep playing, but we'll see how things play out in March or even after that," he said. I would love to be back here. We'll see how things play out. At this point, you kind of just see where it goes."
Exploring the Chiefs' options at right tackle this offseason
Social media to make you thinkFree Agent Options
As alluded to earlier, the tackle market is bad. The Chiefs shouldn't be in the Braden Smith market. Conklin and Havenstein are old and oft-injured. Even a younger player like Jonah Williams doesn't make sense, as he's played 15 games in two years. Maybe shoot for some depth, but free agency isn't going to be how the Chiefs solve right tackle.
Draft Options
Let's discuss the ninth overall pick. Should it be used on a right tackle? I don't think so. It has nothing to do with the tackles that could be available; Utah right tackle Spencer Fano or Miami right tackle Francis Mauioga both are good players worthy of going top-10.
The problem with taking a right tackle at 9 is the idea of diminishing returns. The Chiefs already have a strong offensive line when healthy. How much better could their offensive line get?
Follow Arrowhead Pride on Social MediaReported #Chiefs WR coach Chad O'Shea was with Bieniemy and Brad Childress with the Vikings in 2006-2008
- Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) January 29, 2026
Deland McCullough was the RB coach for Reid and Bieniemy from 2018-2020 during the Chiefs first Super Bowl win.
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