Aaron Rodgers NFL MVP: Why Brees and Brady's Seasons Make Award More Meaningful

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was named the NFL's MVP on Saturday night, overwhelmingly winning the award with 48 out of 50 votes. The fact that he won by so much really shows just how great his season was. On top of that, the fact that Drew Brees and Tom Brady turned in career years and barely registered any traction for the award has to make the honor that much more meaningful.

Rodgers was absolutely amazing in 2011. The 28-year-old completed 343 of 502 passes (68.3 percent) for 4,643 yards, with 45 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He led the league in yards per attempt (9.25) and his quarterback rating of 122.5 broke the NFL's single-season record. He accomplished all of that in just 15 games, as he opted to sit out Green Bay's season finale against the Detroit Lions.

Rodgers was at the head of a Packers offense that led the league in scoring (35.0 points per game) and guided them to a 15-1 record. He also made it a priority to get all of his weapons involved, as seven different Packers caught 25 or more passes. That is ridiculous.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees received two votes for MVP and he certainly deserved consideration. Brees led the NFL in completion percentage (71.2) and touchdown passes (46) and set the NFL's single-season record for passing yards (5,476). He also finished second in the league in passer rating (110.6). 

Meanwhile, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady also had an amazing season in 2011. He completed 65.6 percent of his passes and threw for a career-high 5,235 yards, with 39 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also finished third in the NFL in passer rating (105.6).

In any other year, Brees and Brady would have been worthy MVP candidates. The fact that Rodgers won by such a large margin shows just how incredible he was in 2011. In fact, it may have been the best single-season performance by a quarterback in NFL history.