Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgersof the Green Bay Packers, Tom Bradyof the New England Patriots, and Peyton Manningof the Denver Broncos are the finalists for the Air NFL Player of the Year honors, the NFL announced today.
Fans can vote for one player in each category on NFL.com until Friday, January 25 at 9 pm ET to determine the Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year.
A closer look at the Air NFL Player of the Year finalists:
- Green Bay's AARON RODGERSfinished the 2012 season as the NFL's leading passer (108.0) for the second consecutive season. Selected as the NFC's starting quarterback for the 2013 Pro Bowl, Rodgers threw for 4,295 yards and 39 touchdowns which was second best in the NFL. His 39 touchdown passes places him amongst Hall of Famer DAN MARINOand Favre as the only quarterbacks in NFL history with three seasons of at least 30 touchdown passes before the age of 30. Rodgers, who directed the Packers to an 11-5 record on way to a division title was nominated for Air Player of the Week three times, winning twice. Rodgers was named Air Player of the Year in 2010.
- New England's TOM BRADY threw for an AFC best 4,827 yards in the 2012 regular season. His 34 touchdown passes helped lead the Patriots to a 12-4 record and another AFC East title making him the first starting quarterback in in NFL history to win 10 division titles. Brady extended his streak to 48 games with at least one touchdown pass, passing Hall of Famer JOHNNY UNITAS (47) for the second-longest such streak in NFL history. He also became only one of five quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for over 4,000 yards at least five times in a career. Brady, who was selected to the 2013 Pro Bowl, was nominated for Air Player of the Week five times, winning three times.
- Denver's PEYTON MANNING registered single-season franchise bests in passing yards (4,659), touchdown passes (37) and passer rating (105.8) in his first season with the Broncos. Manning's 37 touchdown passes and 105.8 passer rating led the AFC in 2012. In Week 17, Manning posted his 73rd career game with three or more touchdown passes, moving past BRETT FAVRE (72) for the most in NFL history. He surpassed the 4,000 yard mark for the 12th time in his career to expand his NFL record for 4,000-yard seasons. Manning, who was selected as the AFC's starting quarterback for the 2013 Pro Bowl, led the Broncos to a 13-3 record and an AFC West crown. He was nominated for Air Player of the Week five times, winning once. Manning has been named Air Player of the Year twice before (2003, 2004).
