Eric Bieniemy is back with the Chiefs and spoke for the first time since his wife, Mia, was allegedly shot by their son in July.

“She is on a road to recovery,” the offensive coordinator told reporters Tuesday. “She is doing great. It’s one of the main reasons why I’m back here because of her recovery. She is truly a soldier. She’s a saint. It’s been incredible to watch, but I know I was driving her and a bunch of family members crazy in the house.

“She was like, ‘you have my blessing to leave.’ So it was time to come back.”

Mia was shot in the chest and arm at the couple’s home in Ashburn, Va. on July 26 while Eric was with the Chiefs for training camp in St. Joseph, Mo. She was rushed to hospital where she was in stable condition.

Elijah Zion Bieniemy, 27, was arrested in connection to the shooting, and was charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling.

A few days after the shooting Mia, 57, was released from the intensive care unit.

Bieniemy declined to give any updates on his son in the press conference.

“Obviously, the unfortunate circumstances, which took place, [were] very hurtful, in a way,” Eric Bieniemy said. “I’d also like to say thank you to the entire Chiefs family for the outpouring [of] love and support that my family has received through this particular situation.”

Elijah Bieniemy is currently being held without bond at a detention center in Loudoun County and is set to undergo a competency evaluation involving his case, per ESPN.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 9.

Following the shooting, Bieniemy, 57, rushed back home to tend his wife at the hospital where he said he “had an opportunity to tap in” to practice remotely.

During his two-week absence, he missed 11 training camp practices.

“Technology is pretty impressive,” Bieniemy said. “My language probably got a little colorful in the house. I had a bunch of family members that were there that really never heard some of the language that was used. It felt good just to see the guys work and to feel like I was still a part of it.”

Earlier this year, the Chiefs brought back Bieniemy after three years away from the team, including a stint last year spent as the running backs coach for the Bears on Ben Johnson’s staff. 

He will be helping the Chiefs make a comeback after going 6-11 in 2025, missing out on the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.

“It feels good to be back,” Bieniemy said. “When you’ve been in this environment, this is your family away from your family. I’ve been a part of this sport since the age of 6, so this has been a part of who I am. This is a beautiful sport. You have your highs and lows with what takes place on the field. But it’s all about people being united for one common goal.

“It means a lot to not only have great players, but more importantly great people that care about you not just as a coach but who you are as a person, a family man.”