These days, when you get any sort of comparison the living and growing legend of Joe Burrow, it'd better be warranted.
Perhaps that's why Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy felt the need to jokingly apologize for doing exactly as he introduced the former Pittsburgh Panthers and top QB prospect Kenny Pickett Tuesday morning.
"Hell of a comparison," Pickett said, laughing after a reporter followed up. "I might have to have Jim intro me like that everywhere I go."
In fairness, and as Nagy pointed out, the comparison was related to the similar vibes in how Pickett and Burrow approached the pre-draft process and Senior Bowl, where the Bengals QB set for Super Bowl 56 found himself in 2019 before being selected No. 1 overall in the 2019 draft.
Pickett took the moment in stride, and agreed that they have similar makeups at the quarterback position. Both wouldn't be classified as running quarterbacks, but can extend a play as well as anyone. Pickett and Burrow also know each other, having been roommates years back when they were both in attendance at the Manning Passing Academy down held each year at Nicholls State. The pair had even spoken recently, Pickett shared, toward the end of his senior season.
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"Great guy," Pickett said. "Definitely a great role model to have going into the NFL."
And like Burrow, Pickett is the odds-on favorite to be the top quarterback off the board in the draft, though likely not in the discussion at No. 1 overall. He'll look to cement that status throughout the week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, where practices kicked off Tuesday morning, leading up to the game on Saturday at South Alabama's Hancock Whitney Field.