LOS ANGELES (AP) — A four-time MVP, 3 Tremendous Bowl avid gamers and the start of a brother act.
The Related Press 2021 NFL awards had a little bit of the whole thing, beginning with Aaron Rodgers turning into the 5th participant to copy as Maximum Precious Participant.
“It is more or less surreal sitting right here,” Rodgers mentioned. “Being a four-time MVP is loopy.
“They’re all other. They’ve all been distinctive in their very own techniques and this one feels the sweetest.”
Regardless of the turmoil of coaching camp and the headlines created by way of the Inexperienced Bay quarterback when he misled the general public on his COVID-19 vaccination, Rodgers’ play at the box was once excellent. Such a lot in order that he earned 39 votes from a national panel of fifty media participants who incessantly duvet the NFL. No longer even one among Tom Brady’s perfect performances — in his ultimate season — got here shut within the MVP race, with the Buccaneers quarterback getting 10 votes.
Handiest Peyton Manning with 5 MVP awards is forward of Rodgers, who mentioned no announcement on his long run within the NFL is approaching.
“There was once one thing to how I felt strolling off the sector,” he mentioned. “I had nice conversations with the Packers sooner than I left the city. There were adjustments to the group of workers. Simply comes right down to weighing the place I’m at mentally and what the dedication is.
”I don’t worry retirement and transferring on. I’m very pleased with what I’ve achieved over being in Inexperienced Bay for 17 years. Additionally nonetheless extremely aggressive and sour style from the NFC sport. I used to be annoyed about issues right through the offseason and I believe like there’s such a lot expansion. There have been some issues voiced privately, and I’m grateful for the reaction. There have been issues completed to make me really feel particular and vital.”
Rams large receiver Cooper Kupp were given one vote for MVP, however he simply took most sensible offensive participant honors. Kupp and Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow (Comeback Participant) and wideout Ja’Marr Chase (Offensive Rookie) will face off in Sunday’s Tremendous Bowl.
Kupp led the NFL with 138 receptions, 1,829 yards receiving and 15 landing catches whilst main Los Angeles to the NFC West identify. A unanimous All-Professional, he won 35 votes, some distance in entrance of Colts working again Jonathan Taylor (10).
Kupp was once so productive whilst running with a brand new passer, Matthew Stafford, that he had 14 video games with no less than 10 catches, no video games with fewer than seven. Although he isn’t the quickest nor most powerful wideout, he had 100 yards receiving in 11 contests.
Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt, a unanimous All-Professional like Kupp, led the NFL in sacks with a record-tying 22 1/2. He joined brother J.J., a three-time winner of Defensive Participant of the 12 months.
“I’m no longer massive on particular person awards,” mentioned Pittsburgh’s Watt, “but it surely’s tricky to not need that after I noticed my brother on the top of his profession win that award 3 times. And I all the time simply idea to myself why can’t I do this?”
“Some moments are simply particular. Couldn’t be extra pleased with you,” older brother J.J. tweeted after he’d introduced the winner on degree.
Dallas linebacker Micah Parsons, who got here in 2nd to Watt for most sensible defensive participant — however 37 votes at the back of — was once a unanimous selection for Defensive Rookie of the 12 months. Parsons no longer most effective helped the Cowboys flip round their defensive efficiency this season, however he was once so dynamic he helped coordinator Dan Quinn win the assistant trainer award.
Parsons promised he would get subsequent what Watt has now.
“It’s an honor, and I’m nonetheless hungry, you presently what I imply?” he mentioned. “I’m coming for him subsequent 12 months. … However I suppose it’ll be one thing for me to have … for subsequent 12 months.”
Within the Bengals’ worst-to-first AFC North upward push, after which deep into the playoffs, Chase was once a big contributor. The 5th general select in final April’s draft in spite of skipping the 2020 season at LSU because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chase had 81 receptions for 1,455 yards with 13 touchdowns.
His quarterback, after all, was once Burrow, two years when they helped LSU win the nationwide championship. Burrow’s rookie season was once minimize brief by way of a knee harm in his tenth sport with a 2-7-1 list. The Bengals quarterback certain made up for that during 2021. He smashed single-season franchise information for passer score (108.3), yards (4,611), TDs passing and 300-yard video games (six). His precision passing ranked first within the league at a 70.4% final touch proportion, and in spite of being sacked a league-high 51 instances, Burrow had an 8.9 yards in line with try that still led the NFL.
Mike Vrabel’s paintings with the Titans earned him Trainer of the 12 months. Regardless of the use of a list for a non-strike season 91 avid gamers, and shedding his highest, working again Derrick Henry, for part the agenda, Vrabel led Tennessee to the AFC South crown and the convention’s most sensible seed.
“This is a mirrored image of our soccer staff and group of workers,” Vrabel defined. “They make a reference to our avid gamers. Avid gamers will come and move, I performed for 14 years. You’ll nonetheless make a connection and deal with your guys.
“I’m desirous about it as a result of we now have had adversity and been in a position to persevere via that.”
Rams veteran take on Andrew Whitworth, who additionally performed for the Bengals, gained the league’s Walter Payton Guy of the 12 months award.
