New Bears RBs coach Eric Bieniemy making himself heard

One noticeable change from last season is the loud voice coming from the Bears' running backs drills.

Running backs coach Eric Bieniemy, the former Chiefs and Commanders offensive coordinator, isn’t shy about shouting instructions to his players — and using choice language if they make mistakes.

“He’s very experienced — he has been to the mountain top and knows what that looks like,” offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said. “He’s going to have an impact on the running back room and what that looks like. He’ll have an impact on our whole offensive staff. But he has a lot of experience in a number of different areas oh scheme. That will be really helpful for all of us as we go on through this.”

He smiled when asked whether Bieniemy was as fiery in the meeting room as on the field.

“At times …” he said “He’s very passionate.”

Last month, Bieniemy laid out his approach.

“I expect you to be at your best,” he said. “If you’re putting uncharacteristic behavior on tape, yeah, I’m going to get after your ass on that. But if you’re putting the right behavior on tape, I’m going to be your biggest fan.”
 

Allen on Carr

Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was the head coach on the 2014 Raiders team that drafted quarterback Derek Carr in the second round. He was the Saints’ head coach in 2023 when the team gave Carr a four-year, $150 million deal.

Saturday, Carr announced that he wouldn’t be able to finish that contract. He retired after doctors determined that he had a torn labrum and degenerative problems in his throwing shoulder. Surgery would have cost him at least a season.

“I love Derek Carr,” Allen said. “I haven’t spoken to him [about retirement] — I just saw that right before we walked onto the practice field. He did a lot of good things and he was always somebody that was pleasant to be around in the building.”