Kansas City Chiefs receiver Juju Smith-Schuster had a slow start to the season but answered the call against the New Orleans Saints.
The Kansas City Chiefs desperately needed someone to stand up with Rashee Rice out for the season, and against the New Orleans Saints, that player was Juju Smith-Schuster.
Having only been a role player in the first month of the season, to the point where he only had two catches for 17 yards, when the Chiefs needed him against New Orleans, he answered the call.
Smith-Schuster totaled seven receptions for 130 yards to be the Chiefs' driving force in the 26-13 win. But what makes him able to play like that so early in the year after being away from the team in 2023?
"First of all, he's a veteran, works hard, he's smart, and I think all of those go into that," head coach Andy Reid said. "Pat [Mahomes has trust in him and we as coaches have trust in him, we try and put him in good positions for his strengths and try to utilize those. I think all of those things add up to the production. The main thing is he's kept himself in great shape, and he's smart. He knows how to play the game."
Juju's 2022 season with the Chiefs saw him a total of 933 yards, which was the second-most in his career, and while he didn't have the most touchdowns (three) or receptions (78) he's had in a season, he was an important part of what Reid's offense was trying to do.
Now, with Rice injured and defenses tailoring their scheme to stop Travis Kelce from taking over games, it might fall on Smith-Schuster to have a 2022-type season if the Chiefs are to have a shot at three straight Super Bowl wins.
Yes, it is only one game out of five, but Juju has shown that there's still juice left in the tank and one coach who is good at getting the most out of every player in Reid.
And if the Chiefs are to have success in 2024, he'll need to work that magic again with Smith-Schuster.
