Steve Young explains how Mitchell Trubisky can succeed in his first start with the Bears against the Vikings. (0:30)

Young: 'Trubisky needs to be clean with ball' (0:30)

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Kansas City Chiefs rookie phenom Kareem Hunt expects a strong showing from Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky on Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings.

"Mitch is a competitor and good friend of mine," Hunt, the NFL's leading rusher, said Friday. "I just know how he is and I know he likes to win. I feel like he'll do a great job."

Hunt knows firsthand the type of impact Trubisky -- who will make his NFL debut Monday night -- can have on a game.

Their friendship dates back approximately 15 years, when the duo grew up just one town apart in northeast Ohio and regularly squared off in youth football.

"I just remember him being a tremendous athlete, a playmaker and just a great person too," Hunt recalled. "He threw the ball a little bit and he had some big plays. But I remember he always led his team far and was a winner."

Surprisingly, Hunt and Trubisky used to play the same position.

Long before Trubisky rose to stardom as a quarterback for Mentor High School and North Carolina, he lined up at running back -- the same role Hunt currently fills for the Chiefs.

So, who was the better tailback?

"My team won the championship when we played in the championship, twice," Hunt pointed out.

All ribbing aside, Hunt hopes Trubisky takes the NFL by storm the same way Hunt himself is doing.

A third-round pick out of Toledo, Hunt is off to an incredible start with 659 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns for the 4-0 Chiefs.

Bears fans would welcome anything close to that kind of production from Trubisky.

"We definitely stay in touch," Hunt said. "I'll wish him good luck before the game, and he'll get back to me."

NFL Nation Chiefs reporter Adam Teicher contributed to this report.