Green Bay Packers: Top 10 players of the 2021 season
2. Aaron Rodgers
I know, I know, the presumptive NFL MVP for the second straight year isn’t even getting the award for best player on his own team? We’ll discuss the top spot when we get there but first let’s acknowledge another phenomenal year for Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers did a terrific job to weather the early storm following a season-opening disaster against the Saints. His stretch of games starting in Minnesota in Week 11 which carried right through to his Week 17 game against the same opponent was one of the best stretches of Rodgers’ entire career.
Of course, Rodgers deserves partial blame for what happened against the 49ers, but that shouldn’t outweigh this incredible season. Despite having by far his loudest and most controversial year off the field, Rodgers was an assassin on it.
1. Davante Adams
I am confident when I say Davante Adams was the best player on the Packers this year. I was admittedly skeptical about Adams replicating his tremendous play from 2020, but he did just that.
We haven’t seen a receiver playing at this level since Julio Jones on the Falcons in 2016. Whenever Adams is applying for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in a dozen or so years down the line, the 2021 season may be the highlight on his resumé.
Week in and week out, teams were entering matchups against the Packers with completely altered game plans specifically designed to neutralize Adams, and the majority were unable to slow him down.
Adams even received the Megatron treatment from time to time — two defensive backs straight up doubling him at the line with no disguises. He instilled fear in opposing cornerbacks with his scintillating array of releases off the line. His goal-line slant against Bears’ Jaylon Johnson stands out in particular.
It’s unclear what the plan is for Adams this offseason. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has indicated he thinks the franchise tag is in play for the Packers, but it’s all very much a wait-and-see situation. Regardless of what happens next, Adams will forever be a Packers legend and this past season was the best of his career.