LOS ANGELES — A four-time MVP, three Tremendous Bowl gamers and the start of a brother act.
The Related Press 2021 NFL awards had a little bit of all the pieces, beginning with Aaron Rodgers turning into the fifth participant to repeat as Most Precious Participant.
“It's sort of surreal sitting right here,” Rodgers mentioned. “Being a four-time MVP is loopy.
“They’re all totally different. They’re all distinctive in their very own methods and this one feels the sweetest.”
Regardless of the turmoil of coaching camp and the headlines created by the Inexperienced Bay quarterback when he misled the general public on his COVID-19 vaccination, Rodgers’ play on the sector was very good. A lot in order that he earned 39 votes from a nationwide panel of fifty media members who usually cowl the NFL. Not even certainly one of Tom Brady’s greatest performances — in his closing season — got here shut within the MVP race, with the Buccaneers quarterback getting 10 votes.
Solely Peyton Manning with 5 MVP awards is forward of Rodgers, who mentioned no announcement on his future within the NFL is imminent.
“There was one thing to how I felt strolling off the sector,” he mentioned. “I had nice conversations with the Packers earlier than I left city. There have been adjustments to the employees. Simply comes all the way 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 happy with what I've completed over being in Inexperienced Bay for 17 years. Additionally nonetheless extremely aggressive and bitter style from the NFC recreation. I used to be pissed off about issues in the course of the offseason and I really feel like there’s a lot development. There have been some issues voiced privately, and I'm grateful for the response. There have been issues finished to make me really feel particular and essential.”
Rams vast receiver Cooper Kupp acquired one vote for MVP, however he simply took high 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 whereas main Los Angeles to the NFC West title. A unanimous All-Professional, he acquired 35 votes, far in entrance of Colts operating again Jonathan Taylor (10).
Kupp was so productive whereas working with a brand new passer, Matthew Stafford, that he had 14 video games with not less than 10 catches, no video games with fewer than seven. Although he isn’t the quickest nor strongest 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 not big on particular person awards,” mentioned Pittsburgh’s Watt, “nevertheless it’s powerful to not need that once I noticed my brother on the peak of his profession win that award 3 times. And I all the time simply thought to myself why can’t I try this?”
You've got, T.J.
“Some moments are simply particular. Couldn’t be extra happy with you,” older brother J.J. tweeted after he’d introduced the winner on stage.
Dallas linebacker Micah Parsons, who got here in second to Watt for high defensive participant — however 37 votes behind — was a unanimous selection for Defensive Rookie of the 12 months. Parsons not solely helped the Cowboys flip round their defensive efficiency this season, however he was so dynamic he helped coordinator Dan Quinn win the assistant coach award.
Parsons promised he would get subsequent what Watt has now.
“It’s an honor, and I’m nonetheless hungry, you now what I imply?” he mentioned. “I’m coming for him subsequent 12 months. … However I assume it’ll be one thing for me to have … for subsequent 12 months.”
Within the Bengals’ worst-to-first AFC North rise, after which deep into the playoffs, Chase was a serious contributor. The fifth total choose in final April’s draft regardless of skipping the 2020 season at LSU as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, Chase had 81 receptions for 1,455 yards with 13 touchdowns.
His quarterback, in fact, was Burrow, two years after they helped LSU win the nationwide championship. Burrow’s rookie season was minimize quick by a knee damage in his tenth recreation with a 2-7-1 report. The Bengals quarterback positive made up for that in 2021. He smashed single-season franchise data 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% completion share, and regardless of being sacked a league-high 51 instances, Burrow had an 8.9 yards per try that additionally led the NFL.
Mike Vrabel’s work with the Titans earned him Coach of the 12 months. Regardless of utilizing a report for a non-strike season 91 gamers, and shedding his easiest, operating again Derrick Henry, for half the schedule, Vrabel led Tennessee to the AFC South crown and the convention’s high seed.
“It's a reflection of our soccer group and employees,” Vrabel defined. “They make a reference to our gamers. Gamers will come and go, I performed for 14 years. You'll be able to nonetheless make a connection and care in your guys.
“I’m enthusiastic about it as a result of now we have had adversity and been in a position to persevere via that.”
Rams veteran sort out Andrew Whitworth, who additionally performed for the Bengals, received the league’s Walter Payton Man of the 12 months award.
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