Former AFC West Pro Bowler Praises Chiefs' Bieniemy, Love Picks

Marcel Reece believes Andy Reid's decision to retain Eric Bieniemy as OC and the potential addition of Jeremiyah Love will boost the Chiefs in 2026.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Former Raiders fullback Marcel Reece, a three-time Pro Bowler, shared his thoughts on Andy Reid's decision to retain Eric Bieniemy as the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive coordinator. Reece believes Reid is making a "Jedi mind trick" move to get the "band back together" and have the team "overachieve one more year." Reece also praised Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, a potential 2026 draft target for the Chiefs, calling him "fast-fast" and saying his "game speed is elite."

Why it matters

The AFC West is expected to be highly competitive in 2026, so Reid's move to keep Bieniemy and the potential addition of a dynamic playmaker like Love could give the Chiefs an edge over their division rivals. Reece's insights as a former Pro Bowler and current analyst carry significant weight.

The details

Reece, who played 10 games against the Chiefs during his NFL career, believes Reid's decision to retain Bieniemy as offensive coordinator is a strategic move to get the "band back together" and have the team "overachieve one more year." Reece also praised Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love, a potential 2026 draft target for the Chiefs, calling him "fast-fast" with "elite" game speed.

  • Reece shared his thoughts from Super Bowl Radio Row earlier this month.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft, where the Chiefs hold the 9th overall pick, is scheduled for April.

The players

Marcel Reece

A former Pro Bowl fullback who played 98 NFL games over 8 seasons, primarily for the Oakland Raiders. He is currently an analyst for the Big Ten Network.

Andy Reid

The head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, known for his strategic decision-making and ability to get the most out of his teams.

Eric Bieniemy

The offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, who Andy Reid has decided to retain for the 2026 season.

Jeremiyah Love

A running back prospect from the University of Notre Dame, who is projected to be a potential 1st-round draft pick for the Chiefs in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“That to me, that move is one of those Jedi mind tricks from Andy Reid saying, 'It's not about Xs and Os anymore. It's about his team's heart right now. Let's see what this last run actually looks like, and get the band back together and have everyone overachieve one more year. I think Andy is thinking, 'Let's just get everyone to overachieve one more year until the wheels fall off.'”

— Marcel Reece, Former NFL Fullback

“Andy Reid is so good at those things, and pushing the buttons of his teams in his locker rooms. The AFC West is going to be tough. It's going to be a tough one this year, but it's going to be fun to watch.”

— Marcel Reece, Former NFL Fullback

“He is fast-fast. A lot of guys in the NFL are fast, but he's what we call fast-fast. I'm not sure what that 40 time will look like, and I don't even care. His game speed is elite; it's next level.”

— Marcel Reece, Former NFL Fullback

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft, where the Chiefs hold the 9th overall pick, will be a key next step in determining if the team selects Jeremiyah Love to bolster their backfield.

The takeaway

Andy Reid's decision to retain Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator and the potential addition of the dynamic Jeremiyah Love could give the Chiefs an edge in the highly competitive AFC West in 2026, as the team looks to make one more championship run before potential changes.