Buccaneers HC Bruce Arians: 'Travesty' if QB Tom Brady doesn't win MVP

Heading into Week 18, Green Bay Packers quarterback and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers was the betting favorite to retain that crown for the 2021 season. That, however, was before Tampa Bay Buccaneers starter and ageless wonder Tom Brady set a new league record for the most completions in any given campaign during Sunday's 41-17 win over the Carolina Panthers. The win improved the reigning Super Bowl champions to 13-4 ahead of a postseason matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians made it clear when speaking with reporters Monday whom he'd select as MVP if given the chance. 

"I think if he doesn't get it, it's a travesty," Arians said of Brady potentially winning the award, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN. "Most completions ever, 5,000 yards, touchdowns — the whole nine yards. To me, it's not even a close race."

Per ESPN stats, Brady finished the regular season leading the league with his 485 completions, 719 attempts, 5,316 passing yards and 43 passing touchdowns. He's second, behind only Rodgers (68.8), with a 68.5 total QBR, and he completed 67.5% of his passes. 

The 44-year-old widely viewed as the G.O.A.T. already has three regular-season MVPs and five Super Bowl MVPs on his Hall of Fame resume. 

"Tom's the MVP every year," tight end Rob Gronkowski added. "Just the way he adjusts on the fly to his personnel, just trying to get the ball into the best players' hands or the best matchup on that current play — he's just always ready to go no matter what the situation is. He's the MVP every year."