Chris Jones discusses special bond with now-Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders

A major story when the New Orleans Saints travel to face the Kansas City Chiefs on ESPN's "Monday Night Football" this week will be the return of safety Tyrann Mathieu, who secured two Pro Bowl selections and a First Team All-Pro nod while with the Chiefs from 2019-21.

The Saints defense, however, is loaded with former Chiefs. Former Kansas City defensive end Tannoh Kpassagnon and linebacker Willie Gay Jr. are also now in New Orleans but will be unavailable on Monday due to injury.

Besides Mathieu, a former Chief defender who will play is defensive tackle Khalen Saunders.

Following the Chiefs' Friday practice, star defensive lineman Chris Jones spoke about his bond with Saunders, his teammate from 2019-22.

"That's my guy, man," Jones declared. "Me and Khalen, we became very close over the time he was here. I used to go over his house. [I] still call his mama, "Mama." We shared a very personable relationship. That's my guy. I wish him nothing but success on his journey in this league. And I know, when we play Monday, he's an opponent."

During his time with the Chiefs, the team teased using the athletic Saunders in the offensive backfield on certain packages. In his first year with the Saints last season, the big man did see the field for 16 offensive snaps.

If Jones could ask his former teammate one thing, it would be whether they might be on the field at the same time on Monday night.

"I talked to him last night," Jones recalled. "I'm going to call him today to see if he can give me any spits about him being an offense. [He] probably won't, but it's good, man. It's good to play against your peers that you once played and accomplished so much with."

Once the teams are out on the field, Jones knows that some things will be temporarily bigger than friendship.

"It's also a challenge though," he said of the matchup. "We want to come in here and make sure we leave with a win, so it's exciting. [We're] looking forward to it, and maybe we can chat after the game."