The NFL is arguably the most difficult sport to have consistent success in. That is why at the end of every season, the NFL has the “NFL Honors” awards show to recognize these great athletes.
Well, one award in 2023 had a very controversial winner. Because of this, the Associated Press is changing its voting criteria for this award in 2024.
What award is this? What new criteria will this award have? Read below to find out.
NFL Comeback Player of the Year Has New Voting Criteria
Earlier this afternoon, Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press made an announcement that the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award will have new voting criteria in 2024 and beyond. What is the new voting criteria? Maaddi went on to say the following:
“The spirit of the AP Comeback Player of the Year award is to honor a player who has demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity by overcoming illness, physical injury or other circumstances that led him to miss playing time the previous season.” -Rob Maaddi
Controversial Winners in Recent Years
The likely motivation for this criteria being added for this season is how the voting played out last season. In 2023, voters had one of the most difficult decisions as to who would win the award. That is because the two main players in the running had apples to oranges cases.
Last year, Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco and Buffalo Bills S Damar Hamlin were the two main players considered for the award. Ultimately, Flacco ended up winning the award over Hamlin.
Flacco led the Browns to the playoffs after three other quarterbacks could not get the job done for the team. Hamlin did not start in one game last season. However, many considered it miraculous he was even on the Bills’ roster last season after a hit in 2022 nearly cost Hamlin his life.
If that was not enough, 2022 had a similar controversy with this award. San Francisco RB Christian McCaffrey had a strong case for the award after playing 10 total games in the two prior seasons. Ultimately, Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith won the award after leading the Seahawks to a surprising playoff appearance.
What Now?
Will this new criteria sway voters moving forward? It is tough to say. However, one thing seems to be clear.
The Associated Press does not seem to be happy with the results of last year’s voting for this award. In 2024, it could mean more consideration for players like QB Aaron Rodgers if he has a productive season. He played just four snaps in 2023.
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