Aaron Rodgers is the MVP front-runner, but one voter won’t even consider the Packers quarterback for the award.
Hub Arkush — one of the 50 media members the Associated Press chose to vote for the MVP award — said he will not vote for Rodgers even though he has probably “been the most valuable on the field.”
The longtime editor of Pro Football Weekly said on 670 The Score in Chicago on Tuesday that Rodgers’ offseason antics as well as his vaccine controversy have disqualified him from earning Arkush’s vote.
“I don’t think you can be the biggest jerk in the league and punish your team, and your organization and your fan base the way he did and be the most valuable player,” Arkush said.
MVP voters don’t have criteria to follow when voting, so Arkush can use his vote to express his own frustration or disagreement with things Rodgers has done or said off the field. He noted that Rodgers missed a game because he tested positive for COVID-19 and that the Packers went on to lose that game to the Chiefs.
“I just think that the way he’s carried himself is inappropriate,” Arkush said. “I think he’s a bad guy, and I don’t think a bad guy can be the most valuable guy at the same time.”
He listed Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp and Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady as players who he believes have been almost as valuable on the field as Rodgers.
Arkush is based in Chicago and also runs ChicagoFootball.com — something fans were quick to point out online after his comments due to the Bears’ hatred of their rival Packers. Rodgers has even poked fun at the Bears this season, when he said, “I still own you,” to Chicago fans after scoring a touchdown. The Packers are 22-5 against the Bears with Rodgers under center.
Aaron Rodgers to Bears fans “Own you all my life… I still own you” pic.twitter.com/SEr6bsKxs8
— CJ Fogler AKA Internet #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) October 17, 2021
Rodgers is currently a significant favorite to win the award for the second straight season. Bovada has his odds at -375, with Brady (+550), Taylor (+1,000), Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (+1,800) and Kupp (+2,500) trailing.
“Do I think he’s gonna win it? Probably. A lot of voters don’t approach it the way I do, but others do, who I’ve spoken to,” he said. “I can guarantee you I will not be the only one not voting for him.”
• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.
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