NFL MVP stock watch: Aaron Rodgers deserves 3rd MVP

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 03: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 03: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 03: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills makes a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at Bills Stadium on January 03, 2021, in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 03: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills makes a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at Bills Stadium on January 03, 2021, in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

3. Josh Allen, QB (Buffalo Bills)

Last Week’s Ranking: 3rd

Highest Ranking of Season: 2nd (-1)

2020 Stats: 4,544 Passing Yards, 37 Passing TDs, 10 INTs, 69.2% Comp, 107.2 Passer Rating, 8 Rushing TDs

What a year.

Josh Allen is here — and he will be staying. In his third year, Allen has risen to the ranks of an elite quarterback. In that tier arguably lives Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, [on most days] Deshaun Watson, and now Josh Allen.

What happened? Two things. Foremost, Allen’s development accelerated like the speed of sound. What some national punditry forecasted was in the works for Mitchell Trubisky heading into 2019 — happened instead with Allen. Aside from some late 2020 heroics, Trubisky’s lofty prognosis flopped.

Next, the addition of Stefon Diggs was like catnip to a feline. Allen targeted Diggs profusely, and the Bills profited. As an unmistakable WR1, Diggs was deadly. He led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards. Cole Beasley looked like a Pro Bowler alongside Diggs. And just like that, the Bills nabbed the AFC’s No. 2 seed with a 13-3 record.

Round-robin postseason tournaments involving Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson, and Allen are on the horizon. Quarterback supremacy has returned to the AFC much like the days of Elway-Kelly-Marino or Brady-Manning-Roethlisberger.