Betting on the NFL Honors might currently be closed on BetMGM, however, it’s worth taking a look at the finalists for Comeback Player of the Year and who might be the potential winner.
Quarterbacks Joe Flacco, Matthew Stafford, Baker Mayfield and Tua Tagovailoa as well as safety Damar Hamlin share stories of adversity in coming back from the 2022 season. I’ve made a case for each player below to win Comeback Player of the Year as well as my choice for the winner.
Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco
2022 Season
Joe Flacco had a tumultuously bad season with the New York Jets. Regardless of some of the wins he was able to pull out for the team, he ultimately got pulled in favor of backup quarterback Mike White. Before being pulled and traded to the Browns, Flacco went 110-of-191 passes for 1,051 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.
2023 Season
With the Browns, Flacco stepped up when starter Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending injury. Where Watson helped the team get to the playoffs, Flacco was only able to do so much against the Houston Texans. Regardless, Flacco’s numbers significantly improved. He went 123-of-204 passes for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Buffalo Bills S Damar Hamlin
2022 Season
Before Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during the Week 17 Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, he had a fantastic season with the Bills. Hamlin had two pass deflects, one forced fumble, 1.5 sacks, 63 solo tackles, 28 assists, six tackles-for-loss and three quarterback hits.
2023 Season
His Comeback Player of the Year nomination would come when he filled in for a starting safety due to injury. Hamlin had two tackles this regular season, which is just enough from making a total recovery from commotio cordis.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield
2022 Season
Mayfield was between two teams in the 2022 season which didn’t give him the full opportunity to thrive in a single team. His numbers weren’t bad, but they weren’t amazing. He went 201-of-335 passes for 2,163 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
2023 Season
Finally landing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mayfield’s gameplay was elevated thanks to the fiery offense the Buccaneers’ possess. Mayfield put up 364-of-566 passes for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford
2022 Season
Stafford had a dip in stats for his second season with the Rams, but managed to help the team thrive just a year later. Stafford went 206-of-303 passes for 2,087 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
2023 Season
This year, Stafford shined with the team and significantly improved and elevated the team. He went 326-of-521 passes for 3,965 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl.
Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa
2022 Season
A string of concussions put Tagovailoa out of the remainder of the 2022 season. Before he was out of the season, he put up up 259-of-400 passes for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
2023 Season
After much thought about his future in football, Tagovailoa came back to the Dolphins and the team soared in the 2023 season. He put up 388-of-560 passes for 4,624 yards, 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl.
My Choice: Bills S Damar Hamlin
I think each of the candidates have a strong case for Comeback Player of the Year, but Hamlin is the only one to come back from literal death to make a full recovery to come back to the Bills.
Check out First & Jenn for more NFL content leading up to Super Bowl LVIII on February 11, 2024.
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