HENDERSON, Nev. — The Chiefs had a surprise motivational speaker before their win over the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game: former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Coach Andy Reid mentioned it casually Wednesday when asked about Bieniemy, whose inability to land a head-coaching job has long puzzled the league.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes credited him for inspiring the team. “He loves being a part of the team and being a part of that culture,” he said. “Just having him back in the building was really cool and listening to him talk. . . . Guys had a little bit of chill bumps.”

Despite the Chiefs’ offensive success during Bieniemy’s tenure, he has often been a head-coaching candidate but has never gotten the job. Reid said he believed Bieniemy was still in contention for some openings around the league and added that he’s “obviously a big fan of his,” but when asked if Bieniemy could return as an assistant next season, Reid said he currently has no openings on his staff.

Bush resurfaces Safety Deon Bush ended up fine after the Bears moved on from him at the end of the 2021 season. He’s in his second Super Bowl with the Chiefs. The Bears drafted Bush in the fourth round in 2016. He played six seasons for them, primarily as a backup and on special teams. The Chiefs cut him at the end of training camp this season but signed him to their practice squad and brought him back on the roster in December.

When the Commanders blew up their roster at the trade deadline, they split up their top defensive ends by trading Montez Sweat to the Bears for a second-round pick and Chase Young to the 49ers for a third-rounder. It worked out well for both players. Sweat had six sacks in nine games for the Bears, got a $98 million contract extension and made his first Pro Bowl. Young left a team that finished 4-13 and now is headed to the Super Bowl.