JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kareem Hunt determine the win for the Kansas City Chiefs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Monday night’s game was a flashback to 2022 or even 2017 for the Kansas City Chiefs. They saw a pair of their long-ago offensive stars, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and running back Kareem Hunt, carry them again with big games as the Chiefs defeated the New Orleans Saints 26-13 at Arrowhead Stadium.

“It’s pretty cool to get the guys back,” Smith-Schuster said. “I would say it’s like the band is back together.”

Smith-Schuster helped the Chiefs make up for the absence of injured wide receiver Rashee Rice with seven catches for 130 yards. Hunt rushed for 102 yards and scored his first touchdown for the Chiefs since they released him six years ago.

“It’s a credit not only to the guys and how hard they work, but also to coach (Andy) Reid, who knows what their skills are and how to put them in great positions,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “Kareem just runs extremely fast. He gets every yard available, catches the ball and does what it takes to go out and win.

“(Smith-Schuster) fits in well with this offense and so he did a great job today. It was cool to get those guys going.”

Smith-Schuster and Hunt were once key players for the Chiefs. Smith-Schuster was their leading wide receiver in his lone season for the Chiefs in 2022, when they won a Super Bowl. Hunt led the league in rushing for the Chiefs as a rookie in 2017 and had another big season in 2018 when they released him after video surfaced of him pushing and kicking a woman.

Neither player was with the Chiefs that recently during training camp. Smith-Schuster was in camp, but with the New England Patriots. Hunt was out of contract and tried to stay in shape by training under his high school track coach in Cleveland.

The Chiefs ultimately called for each. The Chiefs wanted Smith-Schuster for depth after losing Hollywood Brown to injury. He caught just two passes in the four games before Monday night, when his role expanded in the Chiefs’ first game without Rice.

“I was fine with it (a smaller role),” Smith-Schuster said. “I was okay with just being the leader in the room. I was okay with just being the “rah” guy.

“But I think I wanted to go a step further when the opportunity came. I like the setbacks. I like being down, I like the doubts. I’ve always bet on myself. I came here based on a one-year contract, where I gambled on Myself (in 2022) and it worked out for me. So coming back here was a no-brainer.’

Mahomes compared Smith-Schuster to Travis Kelce in terms of his understanding of what the Chiefs are trying to accomplish with each play.

“Trav is one of a kind, but (Smith-Schuster) has a good feel for the whole concept of the play and so he knows how to get into the open spots,” Mahomes said. “He did a good job today beating the man when they played man and finding windows (in zone) to get big catches.”

Hunt was quickly signed by his hometown Cleveland Browns after being released by the Chiefs in 2018 and played there through last season. But he said part of him always hoped for another opportunity with the Chiefs.

When he scored the game’s first touchdown on a five-yard run, he made a heart with his fingers as he said, “Show my love for Kansas City.”

“It was a great feeling to get back into the end zone,” he said. “I missed it a lot.”