KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Monday night's game offered a nostalgic trip down memory lane for the Kansas City Chiefs, reminiscent of their 2022 and 2017 seasons. Former offensive stars wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and running back Kareem Hunt stepped up, delivering standout performances that helped the Chiefs secure a 26-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead Stadium.
“It’s pretty cool having the guys back,” Smith-Schuster remarked. “I’d say it’s like the band is back together.”
Smith-Schuster stepped up in the absence of injured wide receiver Rashee Rice, recording seven receptions for 130 yards. Meanwhile, Hunt rushed for 102 yards and scored his first touchdown for the Chiefs since his release six years ago.
“It’s a testament not only to the guys and their hard work but also to coach [Andy] Reid for recognizing their skill sets and placing them in ideal situations,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “Kareem runs extremely hard, fighting for every yard. He catches the ball and does whatever it takes to help us win.
“[Smith-Schuster] fits perfectly into this offense and did a fantastic job today. It was great to see those guys make an impact.”
Both Smith-Schuster and Hunt were once pivotal figures for the Chiefs. Smith-Schuster was the team's leading wide receiver during his single season with the Chiefs in 2022, a year they clinched the Super Bowl title. Hunt led the league in rushing during his rookie year in 2017 and was having another stellar season in 2018 before his release following the emergence of a video showing him shoving and kicking a woman.
Neither player was with the Chiefs during training camp. Smith-Schuster participated in camp with the New England Patriots, while Hunt was unsigned and staying in shape by training with his high school track coach in Cleveland.
Eventually, the Chiefs reached out to both players. They sought Smith-Schuster for added depth after losing Hollywood Brown to injury. He had caught just two passes in the four games leading up to Monday night, where his role expanded significantly in the Chiefs’ first game without Rice.
“I was fine with taking on a lesser role,” Smith-Schuster said. “I was okay with just being the leader in the room and being the ‘rah’ guy. But when the opportunity presented itself, I wanted to step up. I thrive on adversity. I enjoy being in tough situations and proving the doubters wrong. I took a one-year deal betting on myself in 2022, and it paid off. Coming back here was a no-brainer.”
Mahomes likened Smith-Schuster to Travis Kelce regarding his grasp of the Chiefs' offensive concepts.
“Travis is one of a kind, but [Smith-Schuster] has a strong understanding of the overall play design and knows how to find open spots,” Mahomes said. “He did a great job today of beating man coverage and finding gaps in zone coverage to make big catches.”
After his release from the Chiefs in 2018, Hunt quickly signed with his hometown Cleveland Browns and played there through last season. However, he always hoped for another chance with the Chiefs.
When he scored the game’s first touchdown on a 5-yard run, he formed a heart shape with his fingers to “show my love for Kansas City.”
“It felt amazing to get back in the end zone,” he said. “I missed it a lot.”
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