The former Patriots reliever only reached half of his New England career in one game

It looks like JuJu Smith-Schuster has gotten his groove back in the two months since he was cut by the New England Patriots.

Smith-Schuster was Patrick Mahomes' leading scorer in the Kansas City Chiefs' win on Monday Night Football, catching seven passes for 130 yards.

That's half of Smith-Schuster's entire Patriots career. During his time as New England's highest-paid receiver, he caught 29 passes for 160 yards in 11 games in 2023.

But it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows for Smith-Schuster. He almost scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter. However, the ball was knocked out of his hands and into the waiting hands of defender Khalen Sanders, who returned it 36 ​​yards.

Back with Mahomes in Kansas City, Smith-Schuster looks a lot like the receiver who convinced the Patriots he was worth a three-year, $25.5 million free agent deal.

After five years with the Steelers, Smith-Schuster revived his career with the Chiefs in 2022. On a one-year deal, he enjoyed a renaissance season playing alongside Mahomes during the team's Super Bowl run. This season he caught 78 passes for 933 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Then he landed in New England, where a lingering knee injury and a stagnant offense spelled disaster.

Smith-Schuster sparked optimism early in training camp that he could bounce back. However, he got lost in the scramble at receiver before the team cut him in early August.

After an injury to receiver Hollywood Brown, the Chiefs acquired Smith-Schuster back in hopes of reviving his career.

“I think if the opportunity presented itself I wanted to get involved. I love adversity. I love being depressed, I love the doubts. I always bet on myself,” he said, via ESPN. “I came here on a one-year contract and bet on myself (in 2022) and it worked out for me. So it was a no-brainer for me to come back here.”

Smith-Schuster had limited production in his first four games in Kansas City. But with receiver Rashee Rice sidelined due to injury, Smith-Schuster saw a bigger role Monday night – becoming the team's top receiver in a win over the New Orleans Saints.