5 NFL QBs with the potential to outgrow Tom Brady

No third day of the NFL Draft is perhaps complete without the network of the analysts of your choice hinting that any of the quarterbacks chosen could be "the next Tom Brady".

Brady's ongoing antics, at two decades and (potentially) counting, should probably assure the football world that there is no "next" Brady; but perhaps those that have the potential to work past his historic accomplishments, even if they aren't "burdened" with them, are already among us.

SK has five names to keep an eye on when it comes to that endeavor.

Which current NFL quarterbacks have the best chance of surpassing Brady's on-field legend?

Allen has appeared to have picked up where Brady left off in the AFC East (Photo: Getty)

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

It would only make sense that the conqueror of Brady's AFC East empire — even if the arguable GOAT wasn't there to defend it — picked up where he left off in terms of on-field greatness.

Allen's ability to multi-task both through the air and on the ground for the Buffalo Bills makes him one of the game's most electrifying modern playmakers and a reliable prescience at the end of the game.

When the 2021 season began, many pegged the Bills and the Buccaneers to meet in a Super Bowl that could possibly serve as a change-of-the-guard. Allen's late-season showings, particularly in a late-season win over the Patriots, have kept this possibility healthy.

Burrow put on one of the most amazing performances of the NFL's Week 16 proceedings (Photo: Getty)

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Part of Brady's allure is that he was able to take one of the NFL's more downtrodden franchises, the aforementioned Patriots, and turned them into a gridiron dynasty so revered and feared that it causes audible groans from the NFL public when they win.

Burrow is in a similar situation with the Cincinnati Bengals, a team that hasn't won a mere playoff game, much less gone to a Super Bowl since the 1990-91 season. To put things in perspective, even the lowly Detroit Lions have advanced to a postseason round in that span.

Burrow's hyped NFL career got off to a slow start thanks to a devastating knee injury that ended his rookie year prematurely; but he has returned with a vengeance in 2021, turning the Bengals into playoff contenders after they won only six games over the last two years. He may only be heating up as he closes in on his first NFL postseason experience, tossing for 525 yards in Cincinnati's crucial Sunday win over the Baltimore Ravens.

Justin Herbert, LA Chargers

As we learned in the 90s, chicks dig the longball — and it's likely that football fans feel the same way.

Herbert has been more than happy to give people what they want with one of the strongest young arms in recent memory.

Herbert, a first-round pick out of Oregon, was ushered into NFL stardom thanks to an injury to presumed starter Tyrod Taylor. That, however, is where the similarities between him and Brady end.

The Oregon alum was expected to fulfill great expectations right from the get-go, setting numerous rookie records last year. As the owner of the most such tallies over his first two seasons (72 touchdown passes, 8,730 yards, both counting), he's the most likely young candidate at the moment to break some of Brady's most hallowed NFL marks.

These NFL veterans still have time to track Brady down

Jackson has been one of the NFL's most electrifying playmakers since entering the league (Photo: Getty)

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore

If Brady's been known to do one thing, it's silencing his doubters. The multi-talented Jackson, beset by another injury in recent times, has built a sizable base of detractors but has been downright historic in his quest to rewrite the joint passing/rushing chapters of the NFL record book.

Jackson's durability may wind up costing him a spot among the all-time greats, but he undoubtedly has the talent. The fact that he has managed to become a more sustainable version of Michael Vick — namely through fulfilling the traditional duties of a quarterback with better consistency — bodes well for his young, developing NFL legacy; and that type of popularity could help outlast Brady should his production continue at this pace.

Mahomes meets Brady in December 2019 (Photo: Getty)

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City

Had to save the most obvious for last, no?

Mahomes is in the midst of only his fourth year as the Chiefs' primary thrower, but he'd probably be a lock for Canton if he decided to strike fear in the hearts of red-clad fans everywhere and he retired tomorrow.

The one thing that could be preventing Mahomes from taking over the Brady throne is his lack of a championship title earned against the reigning Super Bowl MVP. He had his opportunity to swipe the keys of the NFL away from Brady in last year's Big Game, but he fell short. Capitalizing on a potential rematch would be huge for Mahomes' fledgling legacy.