Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes have won three of the last four NFL MVP awards, so it's no surprise oddsmakers are very high on their chances for the 2022 campaign. 

Per Caesars Sportsbook (h/t ESPN's Doug Kezirian), Rodgers and Mahomes are co-favorites to be named MVP next season with 7-1 odds. 

Rodgers' status is currently the biggest storyline of the NFL offseason. The 38-year-old has yet to announce if he will play next season, but the Green Bay Packers seem ready to do whatever it takes to keep him if he does. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Sunday that the Packers "are prepared to go all-in" for Rodgers, including "pending as close to the cap this year and spreading it into future years as much as possible" to retain him. 

If Rodgers does play in 2022, he will look to become the first player since Brett Favre (1995-97) to win three straight MVP awards. He would also tie Peyton Manning's career record for MVPs with one more (five).

Mahomes has only received two MVP votes (both in 2020) since winning the award in 2018. The 26-year-old set a career-high last season with 13 interceptions, but he also completed 66.3 percent of his attempts for 4,839 yards and 37 touchdowns to lead the Kansas City Chiefs to their sixth straight AFC West title. 

The top six favorites are all quarterbacks, including Josh Allen (9-1), Joe Burrow (12-1), Justin Herbert (14-1) and Matthew Stafford (15-1). Derrick Henry has the best odds of any non-quarterback at 18-1. 

Lamar Jackson, who is the last player outside of Mahomes and Rodgers to win NFL MVP, has 22-1 odds to win it for the second time. 

The last non-quarterback to win the MVP award was Adrian Peterson in 2012 when he ran for 2,097 yards for the Minnesota Vikings. Indianapolis Colts star Jonathan Taylor is the only other running back in the top 13 (30-1, tied with Russell Wilson). 

Fresh off being named Super Bowl MVP, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is tied with Kyler Murray for the 10th-best odds to win the regular-season award (25-1). 

At the bottom of the available odds is Tom Brady at 45-1. Despite announcing his retirement on Feb. 1, there have been whispers that he may not be fully committed to that decision. 

Caesars Sportsbook director of trading Craig Mucklow told Kezirian they listed Brady at 45-1 to honor his age—he turns 45 on Aug. 3—and any MVP bets placed on him will be fully refunded if he doesn't take a snap next season. 

The Super Bowl is over. The Tom Brady watch is officially on.

However, those hoping he would drop major comeback hints in the latest episode of his Let's Go! podcast (h/t Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk) were left disappointed Monday.

"I'm super content and happy with how I feel in my decision," Brady said. "All you can do is take it day by day; nothing's promised for us. I'm gonna do things I really enjoy and spend time with people that I really enjoy spending time with. So the future is bright."

Brady himself added fuel to speculation he may not stay retired for long when he previously said on his podcast (h/t Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times) that "You never say never." He did add, "I feel very good about my decision."

On Sunday, Florio reported: "There's a definite and palpable sense that he will play again; some in league circles already believe he could be back by July. Of this year."

Brady will turn 45 years old in August, but age doesn't seem to matter for him.

After all, he led the league with 5,316 passing yards and 43 touchdown passes during the 2021 campaign while directing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the NFC South crown and No. 2 NFC playoff seed. They were unable to defend their Super Bowl title, losing 30-27 to the eventual-champion Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round.

Whether the seven-time champion and five-time Super Bowl MVP will return figures to be a major storyline throughout the offseason, but there may not be many updates from him since Monday marked the final episode of the podcast for the season.

Quarterback-needy teams will surely look to the draft, free agency and perhaps even a potentially available star such as Aaron Rodgers, but the greatest of all time just might be out there at some point.

For now, though, Brady is "content" with retirement.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, Washington Commanders, New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers are expected to be among the teams to explore a trade for veteran quarterbacks this offseason.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported all three teams are expected to monitor the market for Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson and Aaron Rodgers, among other possible names that could be available.

The reported list of teams is of no surprise; all five have significant holes at the quarterback spot.

The Broncos, in particular, could be a starting quarterback away from being a Super Bowl contender with Teddy Bridgewater's contract up. Denver has a burgeoning young core of skill-position players, a solid offensive line and a stellar defense; the only negative is that the Broncos play in the AFC West, which already houses Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert.

Rodgers has an obvious link to Denver after the team hired former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as its next head coach. Hackett has brought along several assistant coaches as well, making it a good talent and familiarity fit if Rodgers chooses to leave Green Bay.

The Panthers have been in search of a franchise quarterback since Matt Rhule's arrival and may be the team most desperate to add a difference-maker. Rhule enters 2022 firmly on the hot seat, likely facing dismissal without a major turnaround. Sam Darnold, who is on the books for $18.9 million next season, isn't the answer. 

The Bucs are leaving the door open for a potential Tom Brady return but are realistic about the fact that the 44-year-old has probably played his last game. Tampa has several veterans hitting the open market this offseason and spent a second-round pick on Kyle Trask last April, so quarterback might wind up being less of a priority than talent retention.

Financial constraints are likely to hinder any Saints pursuit of a veteran quarterback. New Orleans is an NFL-high $80.4 million over the cap and will have to make several seismic changes to the roster to simply get under the cap. It's unlikely any of the aforementioned names will want to join what's likely to be a depleted roster in 2022. Taysom Hill is the top quarterback currently under contract for next season, and Jameis Winston could be brought back on a short-term deal as he returns from an ACL tear. 

Washington also stands out as an unlikely fit for any of the top quarterbacks. The newly christened Commanders have a few solid players on both sides of the ball and a good coach in Ron Rivera but don't have the makings of a Super Bowl contender. Taylor Heinicke started 15 games for Washington in 2021 and is under contract for next season. 

Watson is the only name on the list of veteran quarterbacks whose situation would be improved by going to Washington. It would also be a public-relations nightmare for the Commanders to acquire Watson, who is being sued by 22 women for sexual assault and sexual misconduct, while at the same time their team owner is facing allegations of sexual harassment. It seems unlikely Wilson or Rodgers would be open to playing for Washington given the circumstances surrounding the organization.

The Green Bay Packers are hoping the allure of a lucrative contract will keep Aaron Rodgers happy enough to remain with the team. 

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Packers are "willing to offer" the four-time NFL MVP a contract extension that would make him the league's highest-paid quarterback. 

What would an Aaron Rodgers contract extension look like? Likely two years for more than $45M per year, with voidable years tacked on for cap reasons. https://t.co/pcNg5v1Wko

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 13, 2022

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Packers are "prepared to go all in" for Rodgers in 2022 by "spending as close to the cap this year and spreading it into future years as much as possible" to entice their franchise quarterback to return. 

If Green Bay follows through, this approach would echo what teams like the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done in recent seasons to appeal to their quarterbacks. 

The Saints have been pushing money into future years against the cap when they were trying to win with Drew Brees. The Buccaneers brought back all 22 starters this season from their Super Bowl team in 2020, but many of those players will be free agents this offseason with the team only having $6.8 million in cap space as things currently stand. 

This was an approach the Packers tried last season with Rodgers amid reports he was unhappy with the organization. 

Schefter reported in July that Rodgers turned down a two-year extension to become the highest-paid quarterback in the league. 

Specific terms of last year's offer weren't made available, but Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs has the highest average annual salary among quarterbacks in the NFL ($45 million). 

Instead, Rodgers and the Packers reworked his contract to remove forfeiture provisions that prevents the team from pursuing prorated portions of his signing bonus and to turn the final season of the deal in 2023 into a void year. 

Rodgers told NFL Network's Taylor Bisciotti after winning his fourth career MVP award Thursday that he's had "good conversations" with the Packers and will "do some contemplating and make a decision here pretty quick."

If Rodgers is going to stay, there are reasons for the Packers to act quickly on trying to get a new deal done. They need to free up salary-cap space with key players, including Davante Adams and De'Vondre Campbell, set to become free agents. 

Green Bay is currently $48.5 million over the cap for next season, per Spotrac. An extension for Rodgers would enable the Packers to lower his 2022 cap hit, which is currently set to be $46.7 million. 

Rodgers threw for 4,115 yards and 37 touchdowns during the regular season to help the Packers clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the second consecutive year. They lost to the San Francisco 49ers 13-10 in the NFC Divisional Round.    

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is set to play in the Super Bowl in just his second season in the NFL, and he told reporters Friday that he's aiming to reach one specific quarterback's level in order to be the best. 

"I'm chasing Aaron Rodgers to try to be the best," Burrow said. "He's been doing it for a long time."

Rodgers won his fourth MVP award, which was his second straight, on Thursday night after leading the Green Bay Packers to yet another NFC North division title. In 16 regular-season games, he completed 68.9 percent of his passes for 4,115 yards and 37 touchdowns against four interceptions. 

Burrow also included former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Tom Brady and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in that elite category. 

Brady, who recently announced his retirement, is a seven-time Super Bowl champion and three-time MVP, among numerous other accolades. He completed 67.5 percent of his passes in 2021 for 5,316 yards and 43 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. 

Mahomes, the 2018 MVP, also had another impressive season, completing 66.3 percent of his passes for 4,839 yards and 37 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. 

If those players are who Burrow is chasing, he's certainly on the right path. The 25-year-old completed 70.4 percent of his passes this season for 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. His 2021 season has been remarkable, especially considering it was his first full season after tearing his ACL as a rookie in 2020.

The Bengals are back in the Super Bowl for the first time since 1989, and a lot of that has to do with Burrow. And while he knows Sunday's game could do a lot for his status as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, that's the last thing on his mind. 

"I try not to think about that kind of stuff because I think if you go down that road, you start worrying about the wrong things," Burrow said. "So I've tried to stay focused on the job at hand."

The Rams are considered the betting favorite to win the Super Bowl, according to DraftKings, but Burrow and the Bengals likely won't go down without a fight. 

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For all the latest betting information and reaction, check out B/R Betting.

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Aaron Rodgers doesn't plan on a repeat of last offseason.

While questions about whether he would retire or return to the Green Bay Packers remained a major storyline for significant time ahead of the 2021 campaign, he revealed that will not be the case before the 2022 season.

"There will be a decision in the near future," he said during Thursday's press conference after winning the league MVP. "I'm not going to keep a lot of people waiting."

He also told reporters, "A lot of things were done to make me feel really special and important to the present, the past and the future of the franchise," which seemed to suggest some of his previous concerns from last offseason are not still lingering over the decision-making process.

"Should I feel like it's my time to move on and do something else, I'll be eternally grateful for the Packers organization, the fan base and all the incredible 17 years worth of memories and friendships," he added.

There may have been some frustration from Packers fans before the 2021 season when Rodgers' future was somewhat in doubt, but he is a franchise icon who only added to his legacy this past year while winning the fourth MVP of his career.

The one-time Super Bowl champion, four-time All-Pro selection and 10-time Pro Bowler completed 68.9 percent of his passes for 4,115 yards, 37 touchdowns and four interceptions while leading Green Bay to the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

The Packers were 13-3 in games he started and seemed primed to reach the Super Bowl, but they fell short of the sport's biggest stage once again with a loss in the divisional round to the San Francisco 49ers.

Green Bay has been a Super Bowl contender almost every year with Rodgers under center but has not advanced past the NFC portion of the playoffs since the 2010 campaign.

Perhaps that failure will drive Rodgers to return to the Packers and chase a second Lombardi Trophy. Or he may go to another team with the thought that the NFC North squad has reached its ceiling with him under center.

Whatever his decision, it seems like it won't take too long into the offseason.         

Aaron Rodgers has proved, once again, that he thrives in chaos.

Despite another season riddled with off-field chatter surrounding various issues, the Green Bay Packers quarterback took home the NFL MVP Award for the second straight year Thursday.

It's the fourth MVP of Rodgers' career, putting him one behind Peyton Manning's all-time record of five.

.@AaronRodgers12 wins back-to-back MVPs! #NFLHonors (by @pizzahut) pic.twitter.com/ZH727obKMP

— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2022

Aaron Rodgers wins his FOURTH MVP.

🏆🏆🏆🏆

Second-most in NFL history.

That’s a bad man. @brgridiron pic.twitter.com/0mbst7Jpca

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 11, 2022

🏆 MVP 🏆

Aaron Rodgers takes home the hardware‼️ pic.twitter.com/45AaWGVl2X

— ESPN (@espn) February 11, 2022

🏆🏆🏆🏆@AaronRodgers12 wins his FOURTH NFL MVP! #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/eC9RrRJQNt

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) February 11, 2022

4,115 passing yards.
111.9 passer rating.
40 total TDs.

4x MVP @AaronRodgers12! @Bose | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/LmG5RLfEet

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) February 11, 2022

Aaron Rodgers now joins Jim Brown, Joe Montana, Brett Fave and Peyton Manning as the only players in NFL history to win back-to-back MVP awards.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 11, 2022

At 38 years old, Rodgers racked up 4,115 passing yards with a completion percentage of 68.9. He threw 37 touchdowns against just four interceptions, leading the Packers to a first-place finish in the NFC with a 13-4 record.

Rodgers earned 39 first-place votes, followed by 10 for Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and one for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp, per Josh Dubow of the Associated Press.

After winning the award, Rodgers thanked various members of the Packers organization including head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst.

Aaron Rodgers wins another NFL MVP, thanks the #Packers — notably singling out Mark Murphy, Brian Gutekunst, Russ Ball, Matt LaFleur (and his perfectly groomed eyebrows) — and dedicates the award to the late Ted Thompson and Maura Mandt.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 11, 2022

MVP Aaron Rodgers thanks the #Packers’ front office: “Mark, Brian, Russ.” Also thanks Matt LaFleur and his perfect eyebrows. “Appreciate you, buddy.” Sounds like a guy happy with his current situation 🤷🏻‍♂️

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 11, 2022

Very kind of Aaron Rodgers to dedicate MVP award to Ted Thompson. Aaron fell to us in the 2005 Draft, but it was Ted who stood in the face of massive criticism and took him when we had the most durable QB in NFL history already on our roster. Ted knew.

— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) February 11, 2022

Since the beginning of the season, many had speculated that 2021 would be Rodgers' last year with Green Bay. Towards the end of the season, he said he "wouldn't rule out" the possibility of retirement.

Rodgers caused controversy midway through the season when it was revealed that he misrepresented his COVID-19 vaccination status. He said during the preseason that he was "immunized," but he tested positive for COVID-19 in November.

Rodgers had committed multiple violations of the league's health and safety protocols for unvaccinated players, prompting an investigation by the NFL. After the league's review, Rodgers received a $14,650 fine and the Packers were fined $300,000.

Despite the off-field tumult, Rodgers helped lead the Packers to six wins in their last eight games. But Green Bay's season came to an end in disappointing fashion with a 13-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round. It was Rodgers' fourth time losing to San Francisco in the postseason during his career.

While it still isn't known whether Rodgers will return to the Packers next season, it remains clear that he is one of the best players in the entire NFL, and now he has another trophy to add to his mantle that proves just that.

Aaron Rodgers is the 2021 NFL MVP, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has a new class of players and Keegan-Michael Key knows how to make the biggest football stars in the world laugh.

Those were the major takeaways from the NFL Honors 2022 award show that Key hosted from the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles. Before the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams play for the sport's biggest prize on Sunday, some of the league's best individual players were recognized for their achievements.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell even sang during the opening montage, and the Manning brothers cut in to evaluate Key's jokes with an awards-show version of a ManningCast.

.@KeeganMKey even got @nflcommish to sing along. 😂🎤

📺: #NFLHonors on ABC & NFL Network pic.twitter.com/UEJErKKByH

— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2022

Still, the awards and the just-announced Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 made the headlines over Goodell's pipes.

Here is a look at who won each of them.

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Award Winners

• Most Valuable Player: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

• Offensive Player of the Year: Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

• Defensive Player of the Year: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers

• Offensive Rookie of the Year: Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

• Defensive Rookie of the Year: Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys

• Comeback Player of the Year: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

• Coach of the Year: Mike Vrabel, Tennessee Titans
• Moment of the Year: Justin Tucker's 66-yard field goal to defeat Detroit Lions

• Walter Payton Man of the Year: Andrew Whitworth, Los Angeles Rams

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The biggest award every year when it comes to the NFL Honors is the league MVP, and this season's race essentially came down to Rodgers against Tom Brady.

While Brady has seven rings to Rodgers' one and retired this offseason as the unquestioned greatest of all time, the Green Bay Packers' signal-caller has bragging rights when it comes to MVPs.

Rodgers took home the fourth one of his career, putting him one ahead of Brady.

The argument could be made that Brady—who led the league with 5,316 passing yards and 43 touchdown passes—deserved the award, but Rodgers had just four interceptions to Brady's 12 and led the Packers to the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a 13-3 record in games he started.

"The biggest honor that our sport can bestow on any player."

Teammates showing Big Whit love on his #WPMOY award. pic.twitter.com/NGas1Mpl8M

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 11, 2022

Aaron Rodgers wins his FOURTH MVP.

🏆🏆🏆🏆

Second-most in NFL history.

That’s a bad man. @brgridiron pic.twitter.com/0mbst7Jpca

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 11, 2022

COOOOOP 🗣️@CooperKupp | #RamsHouse

📺: #NFLHonors on ABC & NFL Network pic.twitter.com/YmvJXqY074

— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2022

Last year, there was debate. This year, DPOY @_TJWatt left none.😤

22.5 sacks in 15 games is unreal. pic.twitter.com/tzBbuPgXRq

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) February 11, 2022

TJ & JJ ❤️@JJWatt @_TJWatt

📺: #NFLHonors on ABC & NFL Network pic.twitter.com/GeI09Fxldi

— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2022

Joe Brrr: 2021 Comeback Player of the Year pic.twitter.com/BgmMrIIk1h

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 11, 2022

Joey Comeback. 🙌

📺: #NFLHonors on ABC & NFL Network pic.twitter.com/uMMisdfqxh

— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2022

There were doubts when Cincy drafted him.

There were doubts in the preseason.

Now there are doubts that you can stop him.@Real10jayy__ is special.

OROY 🐅 pic.twitter.com/XOT4cMezyh

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 11, 2022

Never been a rookie season quite like Ja’Marr Chase’s 🔥#NFLHonors @Real10Jayy__ @Bengals pic.twitter.com/zdi7QMmaTP

— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2022

As if there was any doubt.

DROY @MicahhParsons11 is gonna be a problem for a long time. pic.twitter.com/273BZuDuCX

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) February 11, 2022

Alas, both quarterbacks fell short in the NFC playoffs, and Matthew Stafford's Rams will represent the conference against the Bengals and their multiple award winners.

While Ja'Marr Chase took home Offensive Rookie of the Year, teammate Joe Burrow won Comeback Player of the Year and Cooper Kupp captured the Offensive Player of the Year, the defensive players had their moments in the spotlight as well.

There was an emotional moment when J.J. Watt presented his brother T.J. with the Defensive Player of the Year. Micah Parsons also took away some of the drama from the evening by winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year in unanimous fashion.

Outside of the MVP, it all built toward the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, and Andrew Whitworth took home the award for far more than his ability to block for the Rams.

He launched his "Big Whit Homes for LA Families" program in 2021, which sees him donate $20,000 following each home game to help provide affordable housing and home repairs in Louisiana and Los Angeles.

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Voting Results

Here is a look at the voting results for the awards:

Here's the voting for AP NFL MVP:
Aaron Rodgers 39
Tom Brady 10
Cooper Kupp 1

— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) February 11, 2022

Voting for AP Defensive Player of the Year:
T.J. Watt 42
Micah Parsons 5
Aaron Donald 3

— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) February 11, 2022

Ja'Marr Chase wins AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Here's the voting:
Ja'Marr Chase 42
Mac Jones 5
Creed Humphrey 2
Rashawn Slater 1

— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) February 11, 2022

Here's voting for AP Comeback Player of the Year award won by Joe Burrow:
Joe Burrow 28
Dak Prescott 21
Derwin James 1

— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) February 11, 2022

Offensive Player of the Year voting:

Cooper Kupp: 35
Jonathan Taylor: 10
Tom Brady: 3
Aaron Rodgers: 2

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 11, 2022

Mike Vrabel wins AP Coach of the Year award. Here's the voting:
Mike Vrabel 36
Matt LaFleur 8#Raiders Rich Bisaccia 3
Zac Taylor 2
Bill Belichick 1

— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) February 11, 2022

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Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022

• LeRoy Butler

• Bryant Young
• Sam Mills
• Cliff Branch
• Richard Seymour
• Art McNally
• Tony Boselli
• Dick Vermeil

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While much of Thursday's broadcast focused on the best moments and players of the 2021 season, the eight new Hall of Famers were immortalized in football history.

They will eventually be joined in Canton, Ohio, by some of the players who were recognized in this year's award's show, including the MVP in Rodgers.

LeRoy Butler, Bryant Young, Sam Mills, Cliff Branch, Richard Seymour, Art McNally, Tony Boselli and Dick Vermeil will take center stage at this year's induction ceremony.