Aaron Rodgers: Why the Packers' QB Shouldn't Worry About Trying to Repeat as MVP

There are numerous things Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers should be worrying about this upcoming season—getting used to his new offensive coordinator, winning the NFC North and getting back to the Super Bowl are just a few. One thing that the two-time Pro Bowler should never worry about this season is winning the MVP Award.  

Rodgers has nothing to prove to his peers, NFL "experts" or anybody within the football community. He's one of the best quarterbacks in football and when it's all said and done, Rodgers will likely find himself among the top QBs of all-time.

In just four years as the starting QB in Green Bay, Rodgers has led the team to a Super Bowl victory—winning Super Bowl MVP in that game.  He also became just the fifth player ever to win the regular season MVP and Super Bowl MVP in the same season, joining Hall of Famers Bart Starr, Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana and Steve Young.

In 2011, Rodgers threw for 4,643 yards, accompanied by 45 touchdown passes (fifth-most in a single-season) and just six interceptions.  What's more impressive is Rodgers' record-setting quarterback rating.  He boasted a passer rating of 122.5 in 2011, which surpassed Peyton Manning's former record of 121.1, set back in 2004.  To break any record set by Manning is an impressive accomplishment in and of itself.

Rodgers will be plenty busy this season, especially after losing his offensive coordinator to the Miami Dolphins.  Luckily for Rodgers, however, the switch will be as seamless as possible, considering the Packers promoted Quarterback Coach Tom Clements.  And in the end, it's Mike McCarthy who will be doing almost all of the in-game play-calling.  

After a disappointing 2011 season, in which the Packers were bounced from the playoffs in their first game after a 15-1 regular season, Green Bay will be looking to redeem its underwhelming finish.  

Sure, it would be a great accomplishment for the 28-year-old to win his second consecutive MVP Award, but something tells me he's just not concerned with his individual accolades—nor should he be. After winning both a Super Bowl and an MVP trophy, I would bet my last dollar Rodgers would gladly give up his MVP trophy for another Super Bowl ring—what almost every player strives for and grows up dreaming about.  

When asked where his motivation comes from, Rodgers answered (via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel):

"

Winning more Super Bowls. That's the No. 1 thing. Especially after you win one and you go 15-1 in the regular season and then you lose in the first round, you deal with that disappointment. I think you just appreciate that experience you went through in the 2010-'11 season. Just wanting to win more championships. That's what you get remembered for as a team and individually.

"

If Rodgers' individual success and numbers are constantly in the back of his mind, that could end up hurting his overall game.  

The NFL season is a long, grinding marathon and each game takes 100 percent of each player's focus in order to succeed.  And with the Packers being one of the Super Bowl favorites, Rodgers cannot afford to take his attention away from the task at hand—whatever that may be.