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What does it mean to be the most valuable player in a sports league? Are you the best player? The most valuable player for the league? The most valuable player for your team?
Nobody really knows. In most cases, MVP turns out to be Potter Stewart-style analysis, and you just know it when you see it.
This year, we know when we see that Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the MVP.
Rodgers responded to a real / perceived dissent in the draft, when the Packers packaged a choice from the fourth round with their choice of the first round to go up and take the quarterback Jordan Love. Rodgers was not happy; his unofficial replacement, Brett Favre (ironically), made Rodgers’ dismay known. Rodgers himself later acknowledged that the news led him to sip several fingers of tequila.
But instead of becoming a problem, instead of pouting, instead of being sullen, he doubled over and kicked his ass.
For the season, Rodgers launched 48 touchdown passes against five interceptions. Rodgers had more touchdown passes than the Packers punts. He completed more than 70 percent of his passes, generating a passer rating of 121.5. The Packers ended up with the No. 1 seed in the NFC, two Lambeau Field wins from their first Super Bowl spot in a decade.
Rodgers was, in the year he turned 37, as good as ever – if not better.
Others in the conversation were Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Titans running back Derrick Henry. This year, however, was Rodgers’ year. With Love in the cast hovering over Rodgers’ shoulders, the next year could also be.