KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs didn't call their last game against the New Orleans Saints a “turn-back-the-clock night,” but it looked like it.

It looked like 2018 when running back Kareem Hunt scored a touchdown and ran for more than 100 yards for the Chiefs for the first time in six years. It looked like 2022 as JuJu Smith-Schuster led the team's wide receivers with seven catches and 130 yards. It looked like 2019 when Mecole Hardman caught four passes.

But it's 2024 and the 7-0 Chiefs, seeking an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl championship, are the NFL's last remaining undefeated team heading into Monday night's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8:15 p.m ET, ABC/ESPN/ESPN+) goes to Arrowhead Stadium. You get significant contributions from former stars who moved on to other teams and then returned as if time had stood still.

“Coach (Andy) Reid has a knack for making plays that suit the player,” Hardman said. “He gave me a few quick pointers to get the ball in my hands and make something happen. “He got the ball through the middle to JuJu, which he's good at.

“We’ve been with him before, so he knows what we can do. Whether it’s one, two or three games, he thinks about how to get everyone involved.”

Despite only playing in Week 4, Hunt leads the Chiefs in rushing with 308 yards. Despite signing after training camp, Smith-Schuster had more receiving yards in every game against the Saints than any other Chiefs player this season. Hardman was the Chiefs' biggest threat in their Week 7 win over the San Francisco 49ers. He accumulated 55 yards rushing and receiving, scored a touchdown and punted for 55 yards.

Another Chief, defensive tackle Mike Pennel, who played on the 2019 Super Bowl LIV-winning team, left the team for two seasons in 2021 and then returned in time to help the Chiefs win Super Bowl LVIII last season.

“It’s the atmosphere,” Pennel said of why he and others want to return to the Chiefs after their departure. “Coach Reid demands success from everyone.” There are no vet days (no training) here, so you see older players playing at a high level because there are no shortcuts.

“All of that plays a role in returning to Kansas City.”

FOR THE BOSSES In part, it's no coincidence that they brought back so many former players. A fifth former Chiefs, tight end Jody Fortson, helped Kansas City win Super Bowl LVII in 2022 before joining the Miami Dolphins and returning this season. He is on injured reserve after injuring his right knee in last week's win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Hunt, Smith-Schuster and Fortson returned this year. None went to training camp with the Chiefs. Hardman and Pennel returned last season without attending camp, and Hardman scored the game-winning overtime touchdown in last year's Super Bowl victory. In all cases, the Chiefs were looking for players they could bring in and play in a short amount of time.

“We know how to use Mecole, and I think Mecole knows that we know how to use Mecole in its best way,” Reid said. “He has an idea of ​​how things work, he's smart, he knows the routes and the ins and outs. “Outside the routes he's a good communicator so he can talk to the guys and then work hard. I give him credit for how he approaches (everything).

“They (all) kind of know how we operate. You know the offense. You feel comfortable with it. Kareem was obviously gone for a while, but he was able to pick it all up quickly, and he and Pat (Mahomes) are.” “Very good friends who have stayed in touch here over the years, so he was welcome back.”

Hardman said when he was acquired in a trade from the New York Jets last year, it felt like he was coming home. Reid never had to explain the expectations, the pace at which the Chiefs practiced, the location of the cafeteria at the practice facility or anything else.

At the same time, the Chiefs knew how to best utilize Hardman with screen passes, jet sweeps and other open field plays to take advantage of his speed.

“I knew exactly what they wanted from me and what was going on,” Hardman said. “As soon as I got here, I was hooked up. They just said, 'Let's go to training.' I arrived here on Thursday or Friday and played on Sunday. “It was all a given.”

Hardman was a free agent at the end of last season but never seriously considered playing elsewhere before re-signing to a one-year deal worth about $1.1 million.

“I had a few options, but I think this one made more sense,” Hardman said. “It was just more pleasant to be here throughout my career.” I know the system, I know the coaches and I’m very, very familiar with how everything works. “I think coach Reid has a good ability to get me on the field and use me in certain situations.”

Hunt's history with the Chiefs is more complicated. He led the NFL in rushing as a rookie in 2017 and had another big season in 2018, but was fired in November of that year after a video surfaced showing Hunt pushing and kicking a woman outside his Cleveland home. No charges were filed against Hunt, but he was placed on the commissioner's exempt list and suspended by the NFL for the first eight games of the 2019 season.

After his return, he signed with the Cleveland Browns and played there for six seasons. But he said he never stopped wishing he could return to the Chiefs, which happened in September after they lost their starting running back, Isiah Pacheco.

The Chiefs also had a former starting running back, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, on the non-football injury list at the time. Edwards-Helaire has now returned to the active squad.

The Chiefs felt comfortable bringing Hunt back, saying he had matured and deserved a second chance.

“I was thrilled,” Hunt said of the call from Reid telling him the Chiefs wanted him back. “Words can’t even describe how happy I was.” They have the same philosophy and so on. I know what to expect and they know what to expect from me.

“I feel like I never really left. It feels great to be a part of it again.”

Before signing Hunt, the Chiefs considered having to bring in multiple players to replace Pacheco. One of their other defenders, Samaje Perine, was signed primarily to play on third downs. The other, Carson Steele, is an undrafted rookie who lost a few fumbles and didn't seem ready for a full role.

Hunt gave the Chiefs an immediate boost, just as he did when he arrived as a third-round draft pick in 2017.

“I was here with him in ’17 and he reminds me a lot of the same player,” offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said. “We love where he is. “He's physical and when we ask him to get 3 (yards), we usually get 4. If we ask him to get 4, he gets 5.”

SMITH-SCHUSTER PLAYED one season for the Chiefs, in 2022, but was their leading wide receiver. He was a free agent after the season and the Chiefs wanted him back, but he signed with the New England Patriots instead.

He missed out on winning a second Super Bowl championship last year, but said he doesn't regret his departure. He showed he thought the Chiefs would be a good fit for him by returning to them after being released from training camp by the Patriots.

“Just very familiar with the offense,” Smith-Schuster said. “Very familiar with Andy Reid, Pat and the boys.” Just being at this facility makes the job a lot easier than going somewhere new where you have to learn everything pretty quickly. I think the hardest thing for an offensive player is learning a new system and studying a whole new playbook.

“(Reid) just knows how to put guys in position. He basically knows how to use their strength on the field and he (uses) that and I think that’s something I was able to do here.”

Smith-Schuster returned to the Chiefs before they lost Rashee Rice for the season with a right knee injury. But even then, the Chiefs were looking for a receiver who could complement tight end Travis Kelce in the middle.

General manager Brett Veach didn't have to wonder how Smith-Schuster would fit. He had already seen it.

“Some of the intermediate stuff he does well with Travis, we thought JuJu was better than other players,” Veach said. “He's a bigger player than some of the smaller players.” I think maybe after he ran some of the intermediate routes he felt a little bit better.

“JuJu’s experience in this offense and his feel for this position gives us the opportunity to kind of sub these guys out, give them hits and hopefully still be able to match that performance.”

Hunt, Hardman and Smith-Schuster were top players for the Chiefs at different times. Hunt was initially with the Chiefs before Hardman or Smith-Schuster arrived.

Hardman joined in 2019 when he set career highs in touchdowns (seven) and yards per catch (20.7). He was injured for much of the 2022 season when Smith-Schuster played.

Even though they never starred at the same time, it doesn't necessarily feel that way to them. When it was mentioned to Smith-Schuster after the Saints game that former stars like himself, Hunt and Hardman had played a big role, he nodded and smiled.

“It’s pretty cool to get the guys back,” he said. “It’s like the band is back together.”