Chiefs news: Patrick Mahomes speaks out on facing old teammate Kareem Hunt in playoffs

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is still pals with former teammate Kareem Hunt, and the superstar talked about facing Hunt and the Browns.

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will be pitted against a familiar face this weekend.

The Chiefs have a date with the Cleveland Browns, with former Kansas City running back Kareem Hunt returning to Arrowhead as a member of the opposition.

Mahomes said during an appearance on KCSP Sports Radio in Kansas City he still shares a closeness with Hunt:

“That’s my dude, man,’' Mahomes said, via Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. “I came in with Kareem, and obviously we’re not together anymore, but I still stay in touch. He’s a heck of a football player, and someone who was one of my best friends when we first got on the team together.’'

Mahomes also credited Hunt as an explosive runner who “finishes every play,” and said he is happy the former Chiefs star is feeling at home in Cleveland. Mahomes texted Hunt after the Browns beat the Steelers and remains close with his former teammate:

“I don’t want to talk about a lot of it, but I just talked to the guys because Kareem was one of our dudes, man,’' Mahomes said. “He was not only a great football player, but he was one of our best friends on the team. We had to continue to battle forward at an unfortunate time, but at the same time, I still have a relationship with Kareem and he’s still one of my good friends.’'

Kansas City cut Hunt in November 2018 when video surfaced of an altercation Hunt had with a woman the previous February. Though the Chiefs knew of the incident, they parted ways with Hunt because they felt he had not been completely open and honest with them about the events that transpired that night.

Hunt eventually found his way to Cleveland and is now an integral part of the Browns' backfield. The former Toledo product ran for 841 yards on 4.2 yards per carry and finished the season with 11 total touchdowns, including five receiving touchdowns.

Hunt rushed eight times for 48 yards and two scores in Cleveland's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. He has suggested things will be “personal” against his former team, though his old quarterback is glad for his success as the two former teammates prepare to square off this weekend.