Football takes a back seat as Andy Reid shares some good news about Mia Bieniemy

Chiefs coach confirmed Eric Bieniemy has left camp indefinitely while wife remains stable in hospital

Afrightening family emergency has taken Eric Bieniemy away from the Kansas City Chiefs just as his anticipated return to the franchise was beginning, but head coach Andy Reid delivered one encouraging piece of news Monday, confirming Mia Bieniemy is in stable condition.

Reid opened his post-practice news conference by expressing support for his longtime assistant and making clear that football would remain secondary while the family deals with the aftermath of Sunday night’s shooting at its Virginia home.

“Our hearts go out to Eric Bieniemy and his family,” Reid told reporters at training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

“I can’t get into details on it, but things happen sometimes, and Eric will work through it. He’s got a great support group here, as does his family.”

Reid then offered the update everyone around the organization had been awaiting.

“Mia is stable, which is a plus,” he said.

Eric Bieniemy leaves Chiefs camp with no return date

Eric Bieniemy was with Kansas City for Sunday’s practice at Missouri Western State University when deputies were called to the family’s residence in Ashburn, Virginia, at approximately 7:32 p.m. ET.

He left camp after learning what had happened and was absent from Monday’s session. Reid said there was no timetable for the offensive coordinator’s return.

“He’s got to take care of business,” Reid said. “We’ll work through the football part.”

Passing game coordinator Joe Bleymaier and offensive line coach Andy Heck are expected to help manage the offence during Bieniemy’s absence. The arrangement allows the coach to remain with his wife without facing pressure to return before he is ready.

Reid also spoke warmly about Mia Bieniemy, describing her as “one of God’s good blessings” while emphasizing the depth of support available to the family.

Son faces three felony charges after Virginia shooting

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office said deputies found Mia Bieniemy, 57, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was taken to a hospital with serious injuries and remained stable Monday.

Authorities arrested the couple’s 27-year-old son, Elijah Zion Bieniemy, in connection with the incident. He faces charges of malicious wounding, using a firearm in the commission of a felony and discharging a firearm inside a dwelling.

Elijah Bieniemy was being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. The charges are allegations and have not been resolved in court, while investigators have not yet released a full account of what led to the shooting.

The crisis has interrupted an important professional reunion. Eric Bieniemy returned to Kansas City earlier this year after previously serving as offensive coordinator from 2018 through 2022, a period that included three Super Bowl appearances and two championships.

His renewed partnership with Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes was expected to be central to the Chiefs’ attempt to rebuild their offence. Those plans can wait.

Kansas City’s immediate concern is Mia Bieniemy’s recovery and giving her husband whatever time he needs. Reid’s update provided hope in an otherwise deeply distressing situation, while leaving no doubt about where the organization’s priorities currently lie.