In the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 4 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, the CBS The broadcast showed quarterback Patrick Mahomes talking passionately with a stoic Eric Bieniemy, the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator.
Sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson asked Reid about that moment at halftime, and he described it as “frustration and competitiveness,” according to Wolfson.
On Thursday, of ESPN Nate Taylor asked about the conversation during Bieniemy’s time at the podium. His answer offers insight into the coach-player relationship in Kansas City, between Bieniemy and Mahomes, or who else is in the Chiefs’ offense.
“I do all the complaining for the most part,” Bieniemy said with a smile. “But I don’t have a problem with guys venting their frustrations because I like them; that’s part of the dynamic of the relationships we have.
“Sometimes you’re going to agree with things, and sometimes you’re going to disagree with things, but if there’s something that happened on the field, they might have a better perspective than what we’re doing off the field, so I want them to feel comfortable going to share those things with me,” Bieniemy said.
The short video made it clear that Bieniemy was listening to Mahomes and trying to hear him. It’s part of his coaching style and his general mentality as a former player.
“There was no communication issue,” Bieniemy clarified. “We play in the arena; it’s all about safety… You invite all that because I’d rather have him come and take his frustrations out on me than take it out somewhere else where it won’t be taken the right way.”
The discussion took place in the first half, before the team put up 20 points in the fourth quarter and left a motivated Raiders team. Conversations like these can make the difference between a win and a loss.
The Chiefs didn’t make it easy on themselves in Las Vegas or in the Week 3 win over the Miami Dolphins. The biggest factor on offense is the lack of short yardage success. Bieniemy mentioned that when describing Kansas City’s offense so far this season.
“We’re still working on establishing our foundation; we’re still working on establishing who we are as an offense,” shared Bieniemy. “I know we’ve done some good things, but there’s some things we’ve done that have been so lousy that we need to improve.”
The Chiefs rank ninth in third down conversion rate and 12th in fourth down, but some frustrations have come at inopportune times. In Week 1, running back Kenneth Walker found a 60-yard touchdown run on fourth and short; In the last two weeks, the backfield hasn’t navigated the trenches as well.
“One thing I always say behind the scenes is this: whatever [of whether] we block anybody, it’s our job and our responsibility to find a way to move the ball, find a way to move the chains,” Bieniemy said.
“There are offensive linemen, tight ends, everyone is involved,” Bieniemy elaborated. “Right now, we’re okay in short yardage. We have to be better collectively as a group.”
Moving forward, the team should leave guard Kingsley Suamataia to help make room for the backs and possibly leave tackle Josh Simmons as well. He returned to the practice field this week.
Rookie left tackle Kahlil Benson has done an impressive job filling in; if he moves to the bench at some point, don’t be surprised if he’s still used to moving the chain on third and fourth downs.