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, large receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and operating 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 stated. “I would say it is just like the band is again collectively.”
Smith-Schuster helped the Chiefs make up for the absence of injured large 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 laborious they work, however coach [Andy] Reid and simply understanding their talent units and easy methods to put them in nice positions,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes stated. “Kareem simply runs extraordinarily laborious. He will get each yard on the market, catches the ball, does no matter it takes with a view to go on the market and win.
“[Smith-Schuster] suits in properly on this offense and so he did an excellent job in the present day. It was cool to get these guys going.”
Smith-Schuster and Hunt have been as soon as necessary gamers for the Chiefs. Smith-Schuster was their main large receiver in his one season for the Chiefs in 2022, once they gained 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 once they launched him after a video surfaced exhibiting him shoving and kicking a lady.
Neither participant was with the Chiefs as just lately as coaching camp. Smith-Schuster was in a camp, however with the New England Patriots. Hunt was unsigned and attempting to remain in form by going via exercises led by his highschool monitor coach in Cleveland.
The Chiefs ultimately 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 stated. “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 like the adversity. I like being down, I like the doubts. I’ve all the time 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 one in every of a sort, however [Smith-Schuster] has an excellent really feel for your complete idea of the play and so he is aware of easy methods to get into the open spots,” Mahomes stated. “He did an excellent job in the present day of beating man once they performed man and discovering home windows [in zone] to get large catches.”
Hunt after his launch by the Chiefs in 2018 was shortly signed by his hometown Cleveland Browns and performed there via final season. However he stated a part of him all the time hoped for an additional likelihood with the Chiefs.
When he scored the primary landing of the sport on a 5-yard run, he made a coronary heart along with his fingers to as he stated, “Present my love for Kansas Metropolis.”
“It was an excellent feeling to get again ultimately zone,” he stated. “I missed it very a lot.”
