The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a tough home loss to the Texans, a loss that dropped them to 6-7 on the season. The Chiefs are now on the fringe of playoff contention, officially eliminated from the AFC West race, and likely needing to win out — and potentially get some additional help beyond that — to claw their way back into the wildcard picture.
Up next for Kansas City is a home game against the Chargers on Sunday, before games against the Titans, Broncos, and Raiders. Kansas City is currently two games out of the No. 7 seed in the AFC, with only four left to play. Beating the Chargers would be a big step towards getting back into a playoff spot, but it’s only the first.
Kansas City Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster on the Team’s Drop Problems
GettyST JOSEPH, MISSOURI – AUGUST 02: JuJu Smith-Schuster #9 of the Kansas City Chiefs tosses a ball during training camp at Missouri Western State University on August 02, 2025 in St Joseph, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
During the loss to the Texans, the Chiefs were plagued with drop issues, especially in crucial third- and fourth-down situations. Normally reliable pass catchers, such as WR Rashee Rice and TE Travis Kelce, let them team down with big drops in critical moments.
“I mean, just — you’re going to have tough plays,” said Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster in a press conference on Friday. “My advice to [the younger Kansas City receivers] is just, ‘Shake it off, next play, move on. Not everything is going to go your way, the way you want it to go.’”
“It’s the job, it’s a very high-stress job. So in those situations, my advice to them is just, ‘Move on, next play. Next play mentality. We’re going to need you back, we’re going to come back to you. And we’re going to keep coming back to you because that’s just the way it works, right? When you have so much trust from the coaches, players, and your teammates to just go out there and just do your job. You know, that’s expected.’”
“I mean they handle it very well and getting, like you said, extra catches on the juggs machines, working with [Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes] and all that too, as well.”
Kansas City Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster on His Positive Attitude
“Yeah, I mean, dude. For me, I’ve been in worse situations, and I feel like being here and being around this organization, they felt a lot of [positivity] in the last year,” Smith-Schuster said on keeping the vibes high in Kansas City. “And I think for me it’s moreso just keeping the energy up, don’t lose our personality.”
“And that’s one thing [Chiefs HC Andy Reid] talks about, don’t lose yourself. In times like this, teams tend go to all over the place, but staying here, staying close together — moments like this is when you really get to know one another. And I think that’s what it’s all about. The vets kinda already know how it is, and like you said me being a positive guy in the room, just being able to keep that energy up.”
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