OPENING STATEMENT: “Our hearts go out to (Offensive Coordinator) Eric Bieniemy and his family. Thoughts and prayers are with them. I can’t get into details on it, but things happen sometimes and Eric will work through it. He’s got a great support group here, as does his family, as needed. And then, we’ll just let time take care of it from there. But (Eric Bieniemy’s wife) Mia (Bieniemy) is stable, which is a plus and so is (Eric Bieniemy’s son) Eric Jr. and that’s all important. With that, I’ll open it up to questions. What I can answer, I’ll answer, but there will probably be a few defers there.”
Q: When did you first find out about what happened?
REID: “Yesterday evening.”
Q: Was it tougher to focus on football today?
REID: “Yeah, well I tell you, I mean listen, we all love (Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy) EB and you hate to see these kinds of things happen, but there’s always a blessing in there somewhere. So, I know things will work out.”
Q: Is there any expectation of when Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy will be back?
REID: “Yeah, there’s not. On these things you, (it’s) real life. So, you take care of that and that becomes important. (Pass Game Coordinator) Joe Bleymaier is our pass game coordinator, and he’ll be involved there, obviously coordinate as (Offensive Line Coach Andy) Heck is the run game coordinator. So, we’ll be able to keep it moving here. But the most important thing is that (Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy) EB has an opportunity to spend some time there and take care of that business.”
Q: How did the team react when they found out the news?
REID: “They were all supportive. Everyone loves (Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy) EB as you guys do. So, you know, he’s a great person.”
Q: You’ve known Mia Bieniemy for close to 30 years and the kids as well, how are you doing with all this?
REID: “Yeah, I’m good. Listen, I do. She’s a saint, we all know that, the people that know her. One of God’s good blessings right there now. Really special person. But things happen, things happen and you’ve just got to work through it. So that’s where we’re at right now, and time will have to be involved in this to help heal a little bit. But it’ll all work out in the long run.”
Q: You said stable condition, is that the comforting part in all of this?
REID: “Yes. I would say so. Now, I mean, we’ll see here. I mean this is fresh, so we’ll just see how things go. But the fact that she’s in stable condition, I think is a positive for what it could be.”
Chiefs Players Quotes
July 27, 2026
RB EJ SMITH
Q: What’s it been like out there at an NFL camp. How’s it been so far?
SMITH: “It’s been a great opportunity to be out here playing for the Kansas City Chiefs. I’m very grateful for the opportunity. A lot of people didn’t think I would be here today just through the amount of injuries I went through in college and everything of that nature. So, just being out here, being able to practice with these guys and getting better every day. It’s a blessing for sure.”
Q: You have to “build your own legacy,” how is that quote moving forward to now?
SMITH: “Yeah, I mean shoot, y’all know who my dad is (PFHOF Dallas Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith), he was a first-rounder. I’m an undrafted guy, so my path is already different from his. So, throughout my journey just making sure I pave my own path, doing it my own way and learning from him and through his lessons as well is very important for me. Just as a kid my dad always told me to build my own legacy and it’s my life so making the best out of it.”
Q: You’ve got kind of a unique experience than most guys coming in here, but what’s the feeling when you’re getting in a huddle with a guy like QB Patrick Mahomes?
SMITH: “It’s great, still making sure I know my assignment. He’s been a great guy too, very open for me to walk to him and ask questions and stuff of that nature. Really, just making sure I’m prepared. Making sure that I’m executing, knowing what I’m supposed to do, knowing my assignment so that when my time is ready and when I’m out there, he’s ready to throw me the ball and he can trust me.”
S XAVIER NWANKPA
Q: What brought you to Kansas City? What was the opportunity here that you saw?
NWANKPA: “I feel like they get DBs, they’ll get them paid. There wasn’t too many veteran safeties on this team, so I wanted to come in and have a chance to play special teams, and obviously (Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Steve) Spags (Spagnuolo) is a great Defensive Coordinator. The Defensive Backs Coaches (Defensive Backs/Safeties Coach Andre Curtis and Defensive Backs Coach Dave Merritt) are great, so I just wanted to come in here and be the best player to myself every day.”
Q: What do you feel like is the base of your game? What do you feel like you do best?
NWANKPA: “My physicality obviously can stand out on some tape a little bit. I’m a pretty smart guy, I’m able to communicate very well and help everyone get on the same page and clean up any mistakes in the back end to eliminate big plays.”
Q: What goals are you setting for yourself Wednesday and beyond, once the veterans get here?
NWANKPA: “Just trying to take advantage of any reps I can get. Young guy, undrafted guy, I’m just trying to go out there when I get my number called and go make some plays and just capitalize on those opportunities, that’s all I can ask for.”
WR ANDREW ARMSTRONG
Q: What has the experience been like in Kansas City for you?
ARMSTRONG: “It has been great. My dad lives in Missouri. My brothers, my aunts, and my cousins—everybody is from here. So, coming back here has been amazing; (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid, the teammates, the receiver room, (Wide Receiver) Coach (Chad) O’Shea—it has just been great all around.”
Q: What is one thing that stood out during the minicamp? You were the veteran back during the rookie minicamp and it looked like Wide Receiver Coach Chad O’Shea leaned on you a lot. Have you felt that since he came in? Has there been an infinity with him?
ARMSTRONG: “Definitely. I love (WR) Coach (Chad) O’Shea. He is going to be hard on me but that is the type of coach I love to play for. A coach that is really going to get on you and going to tell you what to do—the small details. That is exactly what Coach O’Shea does. When I get that coaching from him, I love it. That is the type of way I want to be coached.”
Q: What was it about this year’s team that made you feel like this gives you the best chance to make a roster?