The NFL’s Comeback Participant of the 12 months Award has lengthy felt like Damar Hamlin’s to lose — and Joe Flacco doesn’t suppose the Payments defensive again ought to.
On Friday, Hamlin — the betting favourite to win the award all season lengthy — obtained the help of the Browns quarterback who grew to become a candidate for it in his personal proper together with his off-the-couch emergence late within the season to guide the Browns into the playoffs.
Hamlin, one of many finalists for the award, returned to the sector in a restricted function for the Payments this season after struggling cardiac arrest throughout a “Monday Night time Soccer” Week 17 recreation towards the Bengals final January.
Hamlin already has gained the Professional Soccer Writers of America’s model of the award for the 2023 season.
He’s up for the Related Press’ award towards Flacco, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Flacco reiterated that he believes Hamlin ought to win it.
“For certain,” Flacco replied to Zach Gelb of CBS Sports activities Radio on Friday when requested if Hamlin ought to win. “I don’t know what number of snaps he performed. I simply suppose mentally, to get your self again to the purpose the place you are feeling snug doing that sort of factor is fairly cool.”
Flacco additionally mentioned he wasn’t certain what led to his personal candidacy.
“I don’t essentially know what I’m getting back from,” Flacco instructed Gelb. “I’d say a lot of the guys on that listing, I’m unsure what we’re getting back from, in order that’s in all probability my preliminary response.
Flacco, who turned 39 on Jan. 16, was not on an NFL roster to start out this season after enjoying for the Jets in 2022.
The Tremendous Bowl XLVII MVP threw for 1,051 passing yards, 5 touchdowns and three interceptions final 12 months, finishing simply 57.6 % of his passes in 5 appearances.
Flacco finally signed onto the Browns’ apply squad on Nov. 20 after they suffered a slew of accidents beneath middle.
He was named the group’s starter forward of Week 13, filling in for Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the group’s fifth-round decide in 2023 after he suffered a concussion.
Flacco stepped up, throwing for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns, main the group to the postseason, earlier than falling to the Texans within the wild-card spherical.
However Flacco downplayed his possibilities for the award.
“I’m simply getting back from being outdated and never being on a group for a few months.”
Hamlin was a beginning security on the Payments in 2022 and returned to look in 5 video games this 12 months, recording two tackles within the course of.
The defensive again instructed The Submit in November that he was simply excited to get his life again after the terrifying second on the finish of final season.
“I’m tremendous grateful to have my regular life again,” Hamlin mentioned. However I’m extraordinarily grateful to have the ability to proceed to compete on the highest degree and do what I like to do.”
