The NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award has long felt like Damar Hamlin losing out, but Joe Flacco doesn't think the Bills defensive back should lose out.
On Friday, Hamlin had been seen as the favorite to win the award all season, but after coming off the couch late in the season to lead the Browns to a championship with the help of the Browns quarterback, he became a candidate himself. became. play off.
Hamlin, one of the finalists for the award, returned to the field in a limited role with the Bills this season after suffering cardiac arrest during Week 17 of Monday Night Football against the Bengals last January.
Hamlin has already won. Pro Football Writers of America Edition Some of the awards for the 2023 season.
He is in the running for the Associated Press award against Flacco, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Flacco reiterated that he believes Hamlin should win.
“Sure” Flacco Reply to Zach Gelb of CBS Sports Radio When asked Friday if Hamlin should win, he said: “I don't know how many snaps he took. But mentally, I think it's pretty great to get yourself back to a point where you feel comfortable doing things like that.”
Flacco also said he doesn't know what led to his candidacy.
“I don't necessarily know what I'm coming back from,” Flacco told Gelb. “I think that's probably my first reaction because most of the players on that list don't know what they're coming back from.
Flacco, who turned 39 on Jan. 16, was not on an NFL roster to begin this season after playing with the Jets in 2022.
The Super Bowl 47 MVP passed for 1,051 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions last year, but completed just 57.6 percent of his passes in five appearances.
Flacco was ultimately signed to the Browns' practice squad on November 20th after suffering numerous injuries under center.
He was named the team's starter prior to Week 13, replacing Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the team's 2023 fifth-round pick, who suffered a concussion.
Flacco threw for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns to lead his team to the postseason, but they lost to the Texans in the wild card round.
But Flacco downplayed his chances of winning the award.
“I’m older and just came back from not being on the team for a few months.”
Hamlin was the Bills' starting safety in 2022 and returned this year to play in five games, recording two tackles in the process.
The defensive back told the Post in November that he was just excited to get his life back after a scary moment at the end of last season.
“I'm so grateful to be back to normal life,” Hamlin said. However, I am extremely grateful to be able to continue to compete at the highest level and do what I love. ”
