Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers blew the competition out of the water to collect his fourth NFL MVP award for the 2021 season.
The 38-year-old - who previously won the honour in 2011, 2014 and 2020 - threw for 4,115 yards and 37 touchdowns in 16 matches this term, winning 13 of those NFC games.
The Packers fell to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional playoffs earlier this year, but Rodgers took the award with 39 of the 50 votes from the media panel, with 10 going to Tom Brady and one for Cooper Kupp.
"It is kind of surreal sitting here. Being a four-time MVP is crazy. They're all different. They've all unique in their own ways and this one feels the sweetest," Rodgers said after receiving the award from Peyton Manning.
"I had great conversations with the Packers before I left town. There have been changes to the staff. Just comes down to weighing where I am at mentally and what the commitment is.
"I don't fear retirement and moving on. I'm very proud of what I have accomplished over being in Green Bay for 17 years. Also still highly competitive and bitter taste from the NFC game.
"I was frustrated about things during the offseason and I feel like there's so much growth. There were some things voiced privately, and I am thankful for the response. There were things done to make me feel special and important."
Kupp was named the offensive player of the year, while TJ Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers scooped the award for defensive player of the year.
Rodgers has become just the fifth NFL player ever to win back-to-back MVP awards, with the California College graduate now one behind Manning's record of five titles.
Ben Knapton
