While offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy remains away from the team as his wife, Mia, continues her recovery, pass game coordinator Joe Bleymaier has been running the offense during training camp. Bleymaier says everyone on the coaching staff has stepped up during Bieniemy’s absence. There is still no timetable for Bieniemy’s return, but head coach Andy Reid said Monday that Mia continues to improve each day.
Linebacker Cooper McDonald went from undrafted free agent to making the Chiefs’ 53-man roster last season, and says this year’s training camp has a much different feel after fighting so hard to earn a spot a year ago. McDonald was primarily a special teams contributor as a rookie, but this season he’s competing with Jeffrey Bassa for the starting SAM linebacker job vacated by Leo Chenal.
After earning a roster spot as an undrafted free agent last season, linebacker Cooper McDonald enters this year’s training camp battling for a starting role. McDonald and Jeffrey Bassa are competing to replace Leo Chenal at SAM linebacker, and both have been getting first-team reps. McDonald says he felt very little pressure heading into last year’s preseason opener, but this camp has brought a different level of expectations. The Chiefs open the preseason next Saturday.
