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Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has never been shy about pushing his players, and this week he turned that spotlight on wide receiver Rashee Rice. The comment came days after Kansas City dropped its second straight preseason game, a 16-15 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 22. Bieniemy’s blunt read on Rice carries more weight than it first appears. Eric Bieniemy Explains What He’s Learned About Rashee Rice Bieniemy, back in Kansas City for a second stint as offensive coordinator, shared his early evaluation of Rice on Tuesday. Rice is entering his fourth NFL season, and the two are still building their working relationship after Bieniemy left the franchise before Rice was drafted. “First and foremost, he’s tough. He’s very, very tough. Another thing, and I’m not saying this in a bad way, he’s hardheaded,” Bieniemy told reporters. “You know what I mean? And he’s stubborn because he feels that he’s good enough at certain things.” Rather than treat that stubborn streak as a red flag, Bieniemy framed it as an opening. He wants Rice to see his game from a different angle, saying real growth follows once a player takes in new input. #Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy is candid about what he’s learned from WR Rashee Rice. He says, “I’m not saying this in a bad way; he’s hardheaded, and he’s stubborn because he feels that he’s good enough at certain things. I like that because you got to get him to see it from a… pic.twitter.com/00egrgC4Mc — Sports Radio 810 WHB (@SportsRadio810) August 25, 2026 Bieniemy pointed to recent practices where he has watched that shift start to click for the young receiver, calling it proof the message is landing. Rashee Rice’s Long Road Back to the Field The comments land against the backdrop of a turbulent stretch for Rice. He served a six-game suspension tied to a 2024 hit-and-run case, then spent time in jail earlier this year after violating his probation. The NFL has since closed its conduct review with no further discipline expected. The absences have cut into his production, but not his impact. Across 28 career games, Rice has piled up 156 receptions for 1,797 yards and 14 touchdowns. Even in a shortened 2025 season limited to eight games, he still posted 53 catches for 571 yards and 5 scores, averaging nearly 10 targets a game as Patrick Mahomes’ top option. Since returning to the lineup, Rice has looked sharp in flashes, and he is currently practicing without restriction. That history is exactly what makes Bieniemy’s approach worth watching. Rice is fully healthy and working without an active suspension as the Chiefs wrap up camp. Kansas City closes its preseason Friday, August 28, hosting the Seattle Seahawks at Arrowhead Stadium before opening the regular season against Denver.