Thereās no easing into this offseason in Kansas City.
The Kansas City Chiefs continue to strip things back after their disastrous 2025 campaign, with assistant running backs coach Mark DeLeone becoming the latest casualty in what is shaping up to be Andy Reidās most ruthless reset yet.
DeLeoneās profile has quietly vanished from the Chiefsā official website ā a familiar signal in NFL circles that another staff member has been shown the door.
And itās no isolated move.
A Season That Changed Everything
Kansas Cityās collapse last season still looms large. A 6ā11 finish, no playoffs for the first time in over a decade, and the devastating torn ACL suffered by Patrick Mahomes forced the organization into uncomfortable territory.
For years, stability defined the Reid era. Now, urgency does.
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has already departed amid head-coaching interest elsewhere. Running backs coach Todd Pinkston is also gone. DeLeoneās exit only reinforces the message: no role is safe.
A Backfield That Never Took Off
DeLeone returned to Kansas City ahead of the 2025 season for a second stint, having previously served as linebackers coach and a defensive quality control assistant. But results never followed.
Veteran Kareem Hunt led the team with just 611 rushing yards ā ranking 33rd league-wide ā while Isiah Pacheco managed only 462 yards and one touchdown in another injury-hit year.
For a team once defined by balance and explosiveness, the ground game never came close to lifting the offense.
Reid Tightens His Grip
Before 2025, Reid had guided Kansas City to nine straight AFC West titles and five Super Bowl appearances in six seasons. That level of dominance doesnāt vanish quietly ā and it clearly hasnāt softened his approach.
In fact, the latest moves suggest Reid is determined to reassert control over every layer of the operation.
On Monday, it emerged the Chiefs had requested permission to interview Eric Bieniemy, currently the Chicago Bearsā running backs coach and a familiar figure in Kansas City.
Bieniemy worked under Reid from 2013 to 2022 ā first overseeing the backfield, then orchestrating the offense as coordinator. According to The Athletic, the Chiefs are widely expected to bring him back as offensive coordinator in 2026.
Even Kelce Is Watching Closely
The potential reunion hasnāt gone unnoticed by Travis Kelce, whose own future remains uncertain after the lost season.
āIāve been a big fan of him my entire career,ā Kelce said of Bieniemy in a 2023 ESPN interview. āHeās done unbelievable things for my skill set and my mentality.ā
That endorsement now feels more relevant than ever.
A Message to the Entire Building
This isnāt just about replacing coaches.
Itās about accountability.
Andy Reid is reshaping the Chiefs with cold precision ā and every departure sends the same warning through the building: the standard hasnāt changed, even if the results have.
Kansas City isnāt rebuilding quietly.
Theyāre tearing it down to make sure this never happens again.



