KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Monday evening’s sport was a flashback to 2022 and even 2017 for the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. They noticed a few their way back offensive stars, extensive receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and working again Kareem Hunt, carry them once more with large video games because the Chiefs defeated the New Orleans Saints 26-13 at Arrowhead Stadium.
“It is fairly cool getting the blokes again,” Smith-Schuster mentioned. “I would say it is just like the band is again collectively.”
Smith-Schuster helped the Chiefs make up for the absence of injured extensive receiver Rashee Rice with seven catches for 130 yards. Hunt rushed for 102 yards and scored his first landing for the Chiefs since they launched him six years in the past.
“It is a credit score to not solely the blokes and the way exhausting they work, however coach [Andy] Reid and simply realizing their ability units and learn how to put them in nice positions,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes mentioned. “Kareem simply runs extraordinarily exhausting. He will get each yard on the market, catches the ball, does no matter it takes to be able to go on the market and win.
“[Smith-Schuster] suits in effectively on this offense and so he did an awesome job in the present day. It was cool to get these guys going.”
Smith-Schuster and Hunt had been as soon as vital gamers for the Chiefs. Smith-Schuster was their main extensive receiver in his one season for the Chiefs in 2022, after they received a Tremendous Bowl. Hunt led the league in speeding for the Chiefs as a rookie in 2017 and was having one other large season in 2018 after they launched him after a video surfaced displaying him shoving and kicking a lady.
Neither participant was with the Chiefs as lately as coaching camp. Smith-Schuster was in a camp, however with the New England Patriots. Hunt was unsigned and making an attempt to remain in form by going via exercises led by his highschool monitor coach in Cleveland.
The Chiefs finally put out a name for every. The Chiefs wished Smith-Schuster for depth after shedding Hollywood Brown to harm. He caught solely two passes within the 4 video games earlier than Monday evening, when his position expanded within the Chiefs’ first sport with out Rice.
“I used to be OK with [a lesser role],” Smith-Schuster mentioned. “I used to be OK simply being the chief within the room. I used to be OK with simply being the ‘rah’ man.
“However I feel that when the chance presents itself, I wished to step up. I really like the adversity. I really like being down, I really like the doubts. I’ve at all times wager on myself. I got here right here on a one 12 months deal betting on myself [in 2022] and it labored out for me. So coming again right here was form of like a no brainer.”
Mahomes in contrast Smith-Schuster to Travis Kelce by way of his understanding of what the Chiefs try to perform on every play.
“Trav is form of considered one of a form, however [Smith-Schuster] has a very good really feel for your entire idea of the play and so he is aware of learn how to get into the open spots,” Mahomes mentioned. “He did a very good job in the present day of beating man after they performed man and discovering home windows [in zone] to get large catches.”
Hunt after his launch by the Chiefs in 2018 was rapidly signed by his hometown Cleveland Browns and performed there via final season. However he mentioned a part of him at all times hoped for one more probability with the Chiefs.
When he scored the primary landing of the sport on a 5-yard run, he made a coronary heart together with his fingers to as he mentioned, “Present my love for Kansas Metropolis.”
“It was an awesome feeling to get again in the long run zone,” he mentioned. “I missed it very a lot.”
