Just In: Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes get clear message from Travis Kelce about Kareem Hunt, JuJu Smith-Schuster… See More

The Kansas City Chiefs are missing key players in the first weeks of the 2024 NFL season, but Kareem Hunt and JuJu Smith-Schuster’s increased role gives Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid other options in offense besides Travis Kelce.

Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs and AFC is interviewed on a sideline during the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl against the NFC at Allegiant Stadium on February 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The AFC defeated the NFC 41-35.

Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce‘s quest for an unprecedented three-peat is off to a great start. Not only are the Kansas City Chiefs unbeaten through five weeks of the 2024 NFL season, but the team is also benefiting from the promising return of Kareem Hunt and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Both players, in fact, posted better numbers than Kelce in the Chiefs’ recent Monday night win over the Saints. However, Reid and Mahomes have nothing to worry about, as the veteran tight end is happy to see these familiar faces settle in so quickly.

Well, both of these guys are familiar with the offense,” Kelce said on the latest episode of the ‘New Heights’ podcast with his brother Jason. “They’re familiar with the scheme. I think they’re familiar with the nucleus of the coaching staff and the players that we’ve got here.

Hunt built on a strong performance in Week 4 with even better production in Week 5, recording 102 yards for a touchdown on 27 carries. Smith-Schuster, meanwhile, led the Chiefs in the air with 130 yards on seven catches. As for Kelce, the tight end had one of his best games in the 2024 NFL season with nine receptions for 70 yards.

Honestly, it just felt like we got our guys back in the building. There was no, like, ‘Alright, let’s ease them into it.’ It was like, no, they’re ready to rock and roll right now. JuJu’s won a Super Bowl with us, Kareem’s had unbelievable success in this offense before. So I think when it comes down to what Coach Reid is going to call, everybody’s very familiar on how to have success with it,” Kelce added

Hunt, Smith-Schuster enjoy best game in years after Chiefs reunion
Both Hunt and Smith-Schuster reunited with Reid, Mahomes, and Kelce this year as the Chiefs were forced to make offensive additions. While the wideout was a free agency signing to complete the WR room, the running back rejoined Kansas City to fill the vacancy left by Isiah Pacheco’s injury in Week 2.