It took six weeks, but JuJu Smith-Schuster’s first touchdown as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs is one that he likely won’t soon forget.
With 11:44 to play in the second quarter of the Chiefs’ 24-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, Smith-Schuster lined up to the right and worked his way across the middle of the field where Patrick Mahomes found him. Smith-Schuster then bounced off a couple Bills defenders and raced down the sideline for a 42-yard touchdown.
“It felt amazing,” Smith-Schuster said. “It’s a great feeling running into the end zone in this uniform and this atmosphere and scoring touchdowns here is what I came to do.”
Smith-Schuster’s touchdown gave the Chiefs a 7-3 lead — thanks to a little Mahomes magic. Mahomes took the snap, rolled right, then threw back left to Smith-Schuster.
“I had an under route, so they were clearing it out and I knew that the middle linebacker was going to get out,” Smith-Schuster said. “I knew I had the middle to work, and obviously I’ve been here for quite some time now working with Pat. And I know a play never ends basically.
“And running across the field, and Patrick sees me wide open, throws me the ball. And me just being the physical player I am, I just spun out of it and took it to the house.”
In all, Smith-Schuster caught five passes for 113 yards — his biggest day so far as a Chief.
“He’s battled and continued to evolve in this offense and learn more and more,” Mahomes said. “And I’ve said it, I think he’s going to be a big part of this offense because of the way he’s able to catch the ball and run tough through traffic.
“He had a great game today. I’m sure he’ll keep getting more and more involved, and like I said, it’s going to be a different guy every game and it’s been that way this season.”
Chiefs coach Andy Reid also expects Smith-Schuster to keep progressing as the season goes along as he gains more experience playing with Mahomes.
“JuJu is strong and he’s getting more familiar with the offense every week,” Reid said. “And again, that’ll help us as we go forward. But you got to see the strength and the speed combination, and I was happy for him.”
While Reid and Smith-Schuster would’ve preferred capping the day with a Chiefs win, Smith-Schuster is hopeful the Chiefs (4-2) and Bills (5-1) will see each other again this year in the playoffs.
“Playing here I feel like it’s a playoff atmosphere every game with the fan base and how crazy it is,” Smith-Schuster said. “But you’re talking about a great opponent like the Bills. I’ve played them when I was in Pittsburgh. And playing here, the rivalry, it’s a crazy atmosphere. I hope to see them again.”
