The Cleveland Browns and quarterback Joe Flacco were one of the most unlikely stories of the 2023 NFL season.
Running low on options after starting quarterback Deshaun Watson was lost for the season with a shoulder injury, the Browns pulled Flacco off his couch in New Jersey and into the starting lineup. After a rough start in his first game back, Flacco went on to reinvigorate the offense and help the Browns to four consecutive wins that earned the squad a playoff berth.
Even though he only played in six games in all, Flacco did enough to be named one of five finalists for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, joining fellow quarterbacks Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams and Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins, and special teams player/safety Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills.