Joe Flacco, who took over as the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback and led them to the playoffs, has been named the AP NFL 2023 Comeback Player of the Year.
At the time the voting took place, Flacco believed he should have won the award over Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, 151-140. Flacco received 13 first-place votes and Hamlin received 21 votes.
On Thursday night, Flacco joined fellow Browns Myles Garrett (defensive player of the year) and head coach Kevin Stefanski (coach of the year) as recipients of the award.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Joe Flacco #15 throws the ball against the New York Jets at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Gregory Shams/Getty Images)
The 39-year-old Flacco’s journey this season hasn’t been about performing to make the playoffs. But without his 4-1 record over the last five games, the Browns likely wouldn’t have made the playoffs.
Before Flacco’s arrival, the Browns’ season appeared to be lost when starting quarterback Deshaun Watson learned he would need season-ending shoulder surgery at the end of the year. In addition to losing running back Nick Chubb and tackles Jack Conklin and Jedrick Willis, the Browns could have easily given up on that and focused on 2024.
NFL players react to Taylor Swift effect ahead of Super Bowl V
However, Flacco was signed on November 19th as a backup to rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson. When Thompson vs. Robinson could not be played in Week 13, Stefanski got the nod to the Super Bowl champions.
Despite the loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Flacco felt comfortable in Stefanski’s system, throwing for 254 yards through the air, two touchdowns, and one interception, completing 23 of 44. Ta.
Cleveland Browns No. 15 Joe Flacco celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Cooper Neal/Getty Images)
From there, Flacco never lost until the playoffs. He beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, and New York Jets.
Flacco had 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions, gaining 1,616 yards with a quarterback rating of 90.2.
Flacco was unable to beat Texans quarterback CJ Stroud, the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year, in the wild-card round.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco reacts after throwing consecutive picks No. 6 against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Houston. . (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
But he proved to everyone in the NFL that he can still spin the best football. Most likely, he will play for another team in 2024.
