In a typical season, Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco would be considered a strong contender for the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year accolade.
Out of the blue, the seasoned player revitalized his career, delivering exceptional performances after seemingly stepping away from the game. Over the course of just five games, Flacco recorded 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions, guiding an injury-plagued Browns team to a postseason berth.
Despite his remarkable comeback, Flacco acknowledges that he might not secure the award. The presence of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, whose inspiring return from a nationally televised cardiac arrest incident captivated the sports world, adds a compelling narrative to the list of finalists.
Expressing his acceptance of the situation, Flacco shared with Zach Gelb of CBS Sports Radio that he’s content with the outcome. He noted, “I don’t necessarily know what I’m coming back from. I would say most of the guys on that list, I’m not sure what we’re coming back from, so that’s probably my initial reaction.”
The finalists for the Comeback Player of the Year award include Flacco, Hamlin, Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams, and Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins.
Flacco humorously downplayed his own comeback, stating, “I’m just coming back from being old and from not being on a team for a couple of months.”
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When asked about Hamlin’s chances of winning the award, Flacco was unequivocal. He expressed confidence in Hamlin’s deserving candidacy, emphasizing the mental resilience required to return to a high level of play after a challenging health episode. “For sure,” Flacco declared. “I don’t know how many snaps he played. I just think mentally, to get yourself back to the point where you feel comfortable doing that kind of thing…is pretty cool.”
