NFL MVP 2011: Why Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees Deserve Co-MVP

Aaron Rodgers had the most efficient season for a quarterback in NFL history with a QB rating of 122.5. Drew Brees broke several prominent records, including the prestigious mark for most yards in a single season with nearly 5,500.

So, who should be the MVP? Both of them.

The award has been split twice before since it started being given out in 1957. Brett Favre and Barry Sanders in 1997 as well as Peyton Manning and Steve McNair in 2003. This season seems like a perfect opportunity for it to happen again.

Rodgers seemed to have the honor wrapped up by midseason thanks to his dominance during the Green Bay Packers undefeated start. But a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and Matt Flynn's monster game in Week 17 while Rodgers was resting opened the door for other candidates to make a late run.

Brees took full advantage. He threw for 14 touchdowns over the season's final three weeks to force his way into the MVP conversation. All of the hype surrounding breaking Dan Marino's yardage record provided a big boost to his candidacy.

And just like that we've reached a stalemate.

Both guys had truly remarkable seasons and if one of them walks away from the NFL Honors Award Show tonight without the trophy, they would have a terrific argument about being snubbed. So the league would look better if they were able to split the spotlight.

The league is dominated by high-powered passing offenses, so it only makes sense for the two quarterbacks who tore apart defenses better than anybody else to receive recognition for their regular season greatness even though the playoffs didn't go quite as well.

Neither guy's accomplishments should be downgraded because they didn't win MVP, so let them split the award and everybody can walk away happy.

They were both crucial to their team's success, and that's what the award is all about after all.