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EspañolNotre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love has been frequently tied to the Kansas City Chiefs in the lead-up to the 2026 NFL Draft.
Would the 20-year-old be excited about such a pairing to begin his NFL career?
"Yes, yes, I would be," Love said in a Feb. 27 appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show" when asked about the subject. "Especially playing with Patrick Mahomes."
Love heaped praise upon Mahomes, who has won three Super Bowl titles and two NFL MVP awards in his first eight years as an NFL starter.
"I feel like he’s the best quarterback as of right now," Love said. "Best in the league. I feel like he’s top one. So it would be an honor to play with him."
Mahomes is facing one of the toughest tests of his NFL career in 2026. The Chiefs posted just a 6-11 record – their first-ever losing season under Andy Reid – and Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in the Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that eliminated Kansas City from postseason contention.
Mahomes is hoping to be ready for Week 1, but the Chiefs may look to support the 30-year-old with a stronger running game. Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are both set to be free agents, so Kansas City could try to target Love as a replacement with the No. 9 overall selection.
The only question is whether Love will make it to the ninth pick. He referenced having formal meetings with at least 10 teams at the NFL combine, including the Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants and Tennessee Titans, all of whom have earlier picks than the Chiefs.
But if the Chiefs can land Love, it would represent a homecoming of sorts that the St. Louis native would relish.
"I'd be close to home," Love noted when discussing the Chiefs as a landing spot.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jeremiyah Love praises Patrick Mahomes in assessment of Chiefs