In case you haven’t noticed, the Green Bay Packers are really high on this year’s first-round pick Jordan Love. First, they traded up to draft Love. Then, last Wednesday, the team announced they signed their first-rounder to a fully-guaranteed rookie contract. Marking the first time in league history that the 26th overall selection has received a guaranteed contract.

For some, the move comes as a head-scratcher, however, the decision is still on-brand for how highly the Packers regard Love. Current starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers is on the books through the 2023 season. That means Love may not be the starter until his fifth year, which could still place him under contract with Green Bay since first-rounders are subject to a fifth-year option. However, that’s a long time to wait even for a rookie.

When Rodgers was selected 24th overall in 2005, he had to sit behind Brett Favre for three years before he got his crack as the starter. While Love appears to have unlimited potential, the decision to use a first-round pick on him for a team in the Packers position says a lot. Clearly, they believed Love was a can’t miss prospect.

Before the draft, pundits would have told you Love was a super talented player with a remarkable arm. However, immediately after they would have described his rawness and poor decision making. Love has a chance to be good, or even great, but it’s also possible that he may never start a game while in Green Bay.

As a prospect, Love is often likened to Kansas City Chief’s quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Yes, the same guy who just received a new contract extension lasting 10 years and worth over $500 million.

Obviously, Love has a long way to go, but the similarities between him and Mahomes are apparent. Both have a similar build and ridiculous arm talent. Also, both were somewhat overlooked during the draft process. Perhaps, due to coming out of smaller schools.

You might think these similarities are intuitive, but the Packers are hoping they found the next Mahomes in Love. For that reason, he could be named the starter before Rodgers is ready to call it quits.

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Brandon Carwile was a Cheesehead at birth. His dad grew up attending games at Lambeau and passed on the legacy. He has covered the Packers for over five years and currently works with packerstalk.com. Find him on twitter at @PackerScribe.

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