Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was named MVP of the NFL for the second consecutive season and the fourth time of his career, joining Peyton Manning, who earned five MVP awards, as the only players to achieve that milestone.
Although Rodgers’s counting statistics were slightly down from the previous season, they were still magnificent — 37 touchdowns against four interceptions, with 4,115 yards passing on a 68.9 percent completion rate. Rodgers led the league in touchdown rate, interception rate, quarterback rating and QBR for the second straight year. The Packers went 13-4, with Rodgers missing one game, a loss, because of the coronavirus.
Associated Press voters rewarded Rodgers with 39 of 50 votes. Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady finished second with 10 votes, and Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp received one vote — the first for a receiver since Randy Moss in 1998.
Kupp easily won the Offensive Player of the Year Award after catching 145 passes for 1,947 yards — both the second-highest totals in league history — and 16 touchdowns. He was incredibly consistent, recording at least 92 yards in all but one regular-season game.
Finishing behind Kupp (35 votes) was Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (10 votes), who led the league with 1,811 rushing yards; Brady (3 votes), who threw for 5,316 yards, 43 touchdowns and 12 interceptions; and Rodgers (2 votes). (Brady was less efficient than Rodgers, throwing about 200 additional passes.)
Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt took home the Defensive Player of the Year Award after tying the league’s single-season record with 22.5 sacks (the statistic wasn’t official until 1982) and forcing five fumbles. He received 42 votes, beating Cowboys rookie linebacker Micah Parsons (5 votes), and Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (3 votes), who had won three of the previous four years.
NFL MVP Voting 