The Cleveland Browns and quarterback Joe Flacco were among the most unexpected storylines of the 2023 NFL season.
Running out of choices after starting quarterback Deshaun Watson was sidelined for the season due to a shoulder injury, the Browns called up Flacco from his sofa in New Jersey. Following a shaky start in his first game return, Flacco reinvigorated the offense and led the Browns to four consecutive victories, securing a playoff spot.
Despite only appearing in six games, Flacco performed well enough to be named one of five finalists for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, alongside fellow quarterbacks Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams, Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins, and special teams player/safety Damar Hamlin of Buffalo Bills.
Hamlin had long been considered the frontrunner for the honor after returning from a heart episode during a late-season game against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022, which left him hospitalized for nine days. Hamlin may have only appeared in five games and 111 total snaps for the Bills this season, but his return to the field has been an incredible story.
On Friday, Flacco appeared on CBS Sports Radio’s Zach Gelb Show and announced his support for Hamlin for the award:
“I’m not sure what I’m coming back from. I’m not sure where most of the guys on that list are coming from. That’s probably my first reaction. It’s flattering to be recognized in this league for your outstanding play. It’s an exciting group to be a part of, for sure. I am just getting back from being old and not being on a team for a few months.
“I just think mentally to get yourself back to the point where you feel comfortable doing that kind of thing, obviously the physical part doesn’t need any explanation, but the mental part, especially at (Damar’s) position, is pretty cool.”
Flacco isn’t the only Cleveland player nominated for a postseason award; defensive end Myles Garrett (Defensive Player of the Year), head coach Kevin Stefanski (Coach of the Year), and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz (Assistant Coach of the Year) are all contenders.
The award winners will be announced on February 8 during the 2024 NFL Honors, which will stream live on CBS and the NFL Network at 9 p.m.
A significant player is recruiting a notable receiver to the Browns.
With the 2023 season completed, the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals are entering the offseason to prepare for next year.
As a result, free agency is in full swing, and Deshaun Watson is doing everything he can to ensure that the Browns pursue some of the best players available.
He recently told one of his Ohio peers, WR Tee Higgins, that he would be a good fit for the Browns and went into full recruiter mode.
Higgins’ rookie contract expires this year, and he is likely to become a free agency when the new season begins in mid-March.
Along with the Browns, the young WR from Clemson will undoubtedly have many suitors.
Higgins has over 1,000 receiving yards three times in his first four years, including a rookie season when he had more than 900 yards.
He also had six receiving touchdowns in his first two seasons, and seven last year.
However, he is coming off one of the worst seasons of his young career, with only 656 receiving yards, 42 receptions, and five touchdowns, all career lows.
As a young, potentially rising star, Higgins is probably bored of playing second fiddle to Ja’Marr Chase, who is unquestionably Joe Burrow’s priority aim.
As a result, he’s most likely seeking for a new opportunity to be a 1 or 1b receiver.
While he would have to compete with Amari Cooper for receptions in Cleveland, he would undoubtedly be a better first-string option than he was in Cincinnati.
