In the cutthroat climate of the NFL, one transaction is sometimes all it takes to lift a team over the top and past other contenders to a Super Bowl title. Winning the Super Bowl has become a way of life for the Kansas City Chiefs, though — and the NFL‘s newest dynasty is hoping to cement their legacy next February by winning Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

But for now, the Chiefs are waiting for Thursday night to roll around so they can take the first step toward winning the Super Bowl for a third season running — a first in NFL history. For quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the return of an “old friend” could make all the difference between partying in New Orleans…or seeing the season end in the bitter cold of January.

Mahomes reveals excitement over Smith-Schuster reunion

Mahomes has finally spoken publicly about the return of wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who signed a one-year contract with the Chiefs on Aug. 26. This will be Smith-Schuster‘s second stint in KC, and it comes two years after he won Super Bowl LVII with the franchise.

In 2022, Smith-Schuster racked up 933 yards from 78 catches and scored three touchdowns, emerging as one of Mahomes’ favorite targets in the Chiefs’ first season after trading superstar Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. Smith-Schuster struggled in 2023 after signing a three-year contract with the New England Patriots in free agency, and Mahomes is happy to benefit from the former second-round pick’s “down year”.

“It’s super exciting,” Mahomes told the media about Smith-Schuster’s return. “I mean, just the person, being in the locker room, being in the meeting rooms, he gets it, man. He gets how to be a pro, and then he works hard. He’s out here, he looks great.”

Smith-Schuster could even play on Thursday at Arrowhead Stadium, when the Chiefs open up another Super Bowl defense against reigning MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. With a wide receiver corps that got a bit of an overhaul this summer, two-time MVP Mahomes is looking forward to having the quick-learning veteran Smith-Schuster back in Chiefs red.

“I’m excited for him, just to continue to learn the little things that we changed in the year that he wasn’t (here),” Mahomes said. “But he’s picked up a lot of the stuff really fast. It’s good to have that type of guy in that receiver room.”