New Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson built an experienced, respected and talented coaching staff around him. One of the biggest names joining Johnson is Eric Bieniemy, who was hired as the team's running backs coach after a year away from the NFL.
Back in the NFL coaching ranks this year, Bieniemy will work with D'Andre Swift and the rest of the Bears' running backs looking to reestablish a powerful run game in Chicago. In his first year with the Bears, Swift disappointed, to a degree, rushing for just 959 yards and six touchdowns, although he wasn't all to blame as the Bears struggled with inconsistent offensive line play.
During the NFL Owners Meetings, Johnson spoke to reporters about the hiring of Bieniemy, where he didn't beat around the bush and was very clear about what he feels Bieniemy is going to bring to the running back group.
"He's going to coach the piss out of these running backs now," Johnson said, via Courtney Cronin. "That's what he does. Everybody that texted me after we hired him, I had probably half a dozen people that have worked with him in the past and they said, you just hired the best running backs coach in the NFL."
Being labeled the best running backs coach in the NFL is quite the praise for Bieniemy. And if he comes even a little close to that proclamation, Chicago's run game should be in good shape.
There has been plenty of speculation around what the Bears will do with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, including whether they're in a position to land top running back prospect Ashton Jeanty.
With Johnson's previous running game success in Detroit, with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, combined with Bieniemy leading the way from a coaching standpoint, the Bears are not only expected to improve their rushing attack, but add to the room as well with one of their picks in this year's draft.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears HC Ben Johnson explains what to expect from Eric Bieniemy
