Joe Flacco Favors Damar Hamlin For NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award

The veteran quarterback does not think he's the best candidate for the award.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco was one of the best stories in the NFL this season, going from unsigned midseason to starting in the playoffs. Flacco’s performance earned him a nomination for the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award, even though the veteran doesn’t think he’s that deserving.

While appearing on The Zach Gelb Show, Flacco explained that his first reaction to hearing his nomination was confusion more than anything else.

“I don’t necessarily know what I am coming back from,” Flacco joked. “I’m just coming back from being old and not being on a team for a couple months.”

Joining Flacco as nominees for the award are Buffalo Bills DB Damar Hamlin, Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford, Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield and Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa. While they all have an argument for winning, Flacco believes Hamlin should win the award after all that he’s been through over the past year.

"I'm just coming back from being old and not being on a team for a couple months."-@JoeFlacco

Joe Flacco says Damar Hamlin should win Comeback Player of the Year. @CBSSportsRadio @HamlinIsland pic.twitter.com/agmBivvBN5

— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) January 26, 2024

“I think mentally, to get yourself back out there and feel good doing what we do, especially at his position, is pretty cool,” Flacco said about Hamlin.

Flacco played just five regular season games this year, but he led the Browns to a 4–1 record while totaling 1,616 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions as Cleveland earned the AFC’s top wild-card playoff spot. 

However, Hamlin returned to play in five games this year following his collapse on the field last season, which is inspiring enough to be the likely favorite for this award.