His first playoff touch was one of Chiefs’ top plays vs. Texans. Here’s the backstory

Kansas City Chiefs returner Nikko Remigio smiled in front of his locker Saturday night, ready to reveal the full story behind his game-changing kickoff return in KC’s home playoff victory.

And also how he’d predicted it would happen.

Ahead of the Chiefs’ 23-14 home win over the Houston Texans, Remigio found special teams coach Dave Toub. “I’m gonna hit one today,” he said, referring to a long return.

Remigio, when recalling the exchange, remembered that Toub laughed and grinned, hugging him before playfully giving him a shove.

A short time later, Remigio proved to be a man of his word. He returned the opening kickoff 63 yards, spinning off a defender then breaking another tackle before eventually setting up the Chiefs inside the Houston 20.

He had a bit of help. Remigio fumbled at the end, with teammate Samaje Perine falling on the loose ball. The Texans’ Kris Boyd also tacked on 13 yards with a penalty for throwing his helmet on the field.

“Wanted to start fast and go in there fearless,” Remigio told The Star. “Obviously got to be better taking care of the ball, but plays like that definitely help get momentum going.”

It was a big moment.

According to the win-probability numbers at rbsdm.com, the totality of the return earned the Chiefs 3.7 expected points — the top mark of any play in Saturday’s game. In addition, the long return raised KC’s expected chances of winning the game from 76% to 85%.

Not bad for the 25-year-old Remigio, who broke free on the first playoff touch of his NFL career.

“It was electric; that atmosphere is definitely up a notch,” Remigio said. “I think for me, it’s just remembering that it’s just playing ball. That’s all.”

Getting into that mindset was likely tougher for Remigio, given his history.

The 2023 undrafted free agent competed for a Chiefs roster spot in training camp last year before a wrist injury ended his season. He still was able to be on the sideline for KC’s Super Bowl LVIII win over the San Francisco 49ers, which he said last week led to mixed emotions — and also extra motivation for this year.

“It’s like, ‘I’m with the Chiefs, but are you really with the Chiefs? Like, what do you do for the Chiefs?’ So those are the types of things that go through my mind,” Remigio said of last season. “And I think now, to be able to say, ‘I’m playing for the Chiefs. I’m doing everything that I can to help win games and contribute and play football at the end of the day.’ ... Definitely, there’s a different ring to it.”

Remigio finished with three kickoff returns for 110 yards on Saturday, while also adding an 11-yard punt return.

His status for the Chiefs in future weeks remains unclear. Mecole Hardman, who handled return duties earlier in the year before suffering a knee injury, logged limited practices last week before being ruled out for the Texans game. He could be on the verge of a return if the Chiefs elect to activate him for the AFC Championship Game against the Bills.

Thanks to his playmaking on Saturday’s opening kick, Remigio will likely make the coaching staff’s decision difficult, even if Hardman gets back to full health.

Remigio said last week before the game that serving as return specialist on the two-time defending champion was not a role he took lightly.

“It’s a privilege to be in this position,” Remigio said. “And I plan on doing everything that I can to remain in it.”