Tom Brady’s retirement shocked the world. But it didn’t stop people from naming his next of kin: Joe Burrow 

The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback is receiving high praise from some athletes and media personnel after reaching his first Super Bowl in only his second year – just like Brady. 

However, unlike Brady’s first Superbowl, the 25-year-old doesn’t have a top 10 defense or offensive line. Despite his team’s struggles, the second year QB is still pulling out impressive numbers in the playoffs, with a near 70% completion rate, 8 touchdowns, and a quarterback rating of 96.2 

Yet, for those who see the comparison, the numbers are meaningless. Just like Brady, people aren’t drawn to Burrow’s throwing ability but his leadership and attitude. 

Former NFL head coach Rex Ryan, for example, said the 25-year-old was the closest thing to Brady because of his killer instinct. 

"This guy has it," Ryan said last month. 

"I compare him to Tom Brady. I see a higher killer. I see those eyes. I see that confidence. And I see what he does to his teammates. He pumps airs into all his teammates."

To make the comparison feel more real, Rob Gronkowski, Brady’s partner in crime in 4 Super Bowl championships, said Burrow would be the only quarterback he wants to play for, if the tight end chooses to come back next year. 

“I kind of like this young buck Quarterback,” Gronkowski said at a promotional appearance on Tuesday, per Masslive.  

“If I had to pick a quarterback [to join], it’d be the young buck, Joe Burrow. He’s killing it right now in the game.” 

Although a Burrow-Gronkowski team-up is a long shot, the nature of the comparison shows the level of hype the “young buck” is getting across the league. 

But some analysts believe it is way too early to tell if Burrow will even get close to the GOAT. 

Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe, for instance, argued that the Superbowl isn’t an easy place to get to – especially 10 times. 

“We need to slow down,” Sharpe said on Undisputed.

“Brady has made it unfair for us to critique any other quarterback. He has more Super Bowls than any team.”

Regardless of anybody’s opinions, Burrow will ultimately decide the weight of his comparison on Sunday when he faces the Los Angeles Rams for a chance to win his first Super Bowl title and opportunity to make history as the first QB ever to win a Heisman Trophy, college football championship, and a Super Bowl.