A quarterback has won Associated Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year awards in each of the last five seasons, and that trend will likely continue this season.
Several players have been strong, but the prize will likely be decided in such a close contest in the final three weeks of the season.
Here’s a look at the five possible favorites for AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year:1.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams Just months removed from a spinal cord injury, Stafford ranks 10th in the NFL in passing touchdowns (21), 11th in passing yards (3,320) and 14th in passer rating (90.9) among QBs who have played 13 or more games played.
Oh, and he has the Rams in playoff position as the current No. 7 seed. At 35 years old, if Stafford returns from this serious injury after half of the previous season, Stafford will likely be considered a top candidate for many voters.2.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mayfield is not recovering from injury, but his bounce-back season after playing 12 games for two different teams while struggling to continue his career is admirable.
He is tied for eighth in touchdowns (24), eighth in passer rating (94.7) and 12th in passing yards (3,315).
Perhaps even more impressive, he helped the Buccaneers finish No. 4 in the NFC and share first place in the NFC South with the New Orleans Saints. 3.
Joe Flacco, quarterback, Cleveland BrownsWhile this may seem like an exaggeration considering Flacco has only played three games this season, he won two of those games by throwing for over 300 yards in consecutive games and kept the Browns from blowing up. of the playoff photo (they are currently No. 5 in the AFC).It’s really impressive to see what Flacco did directly from his bench.
Considering how many starting QBs have been injured this season, you have to wonder how many of those teams like the Jets or Vikings are kidding themselves for not calling up Flacco.4.
Damar Hamlin, S, Buffalo BillsWhile Hamlin is the betting favorite to win COPY, the reality is that he has only played 96 snaps in four games this season.
Some might argue that he deserves to win the award simply for stepping foot on a field, considering what he went through last year. And while they’re not wrong, he played less than a quarter of the season and didn’t contribute much.5.
Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore RavensI have Jackson at No. 5 because he played 12 of 17 games last season, so it’s not exactly like he came back from a devastating injury that robbed him of much of the season, like the New York Jets did in Breece Hall.
However, Jackson is thriving in first-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s system, ranking 15th in passing yards (3,105) and leading all QBs in rushing yards (741).
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