Associated Press clarifies criteria for NFL postseason award after surprising winner

Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on "Monday Night Football" in Week 17 of the 2022 NFL season on Jan. 2, 2023. The 26-year-old then had an offseason filled with miraculous updates on his health and he entered the regular season as the heavy favorite to win the hardware.

Hamlin finished the campaign with two tackles in just five games, however, leaving room for Flacco to make his case for the honor.

After the Browns' quarterback room was hit hard by injuries, the franchise signed Flacco to its practice squad in November and elevated the former Baltimore Ravens legend to the active roster in December. Flacco started five straight games for Cleveland from Weeks 13-17, leading the team to a 4-1 mark.

He ended the regular season with a 60.3 completion percentage for 1,616 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions as well as a 90.2 passer rating. Flacco struggled in five games (four starts) with the New York Jets in 2022 and hadn't played more than five contests since 2019 with the Denver Broncos. He also hadn't thrown more than 12 touchdowns since his final full season as the Ravens starter in 2017.