Baker Mayfield Not Getting A Vote From Peter King For “Comeback Player Of The Year”
January 23rd, 2024
Prepare to get shafted.
This was way too predictable.
Too many people, way too many people, who work in Joe’s profession are too wired to fall for the touchy-feeling stories.
Generally speaking, fans don’t give a damn and too often those stories distract from reality.
Joe offers up the race for the “Comeback Player of the Year” award.
Since the Fourth Estate is littered with the touchy-feely types, Joe long ago predicted the “Comeback Player of the Year” award would go Damar Hamlin, a nondescript starter for the Bills in 2023 who we believed died in 2022 and returned to the football field. He bounced back to play for the Bills this season, this time as a bit player.
Hamlin finished with four tackles this season.
So, what did he come back from? He was an average player, maybe, before the incident and is a nothing player after the incident.
Then you take someone like Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield, who could only find a job opening as a backup (Baltimore was interested in Mayfield as a starter if Lamar Jackson left). The lone team that wanted him as its starter was Tampa Bay.
Mayfield not only turned around his career but guided the Bucs to a divisional round game and maybe an uncalled timeout away from winning the damn game.
That’s a comeback!
But, not in the eyes of dishwasher etiquette-instructing, redshirt-quarterback-annoyed, anti-public-pot-smoking, cognac-splurging, clock-shopping, Olympics-flag-football-frowning, Concrete Mixer-spilling, Mother Jones-reading, airport-pianist-listening, Twitter-revolting, Purdue-basketball-confused, combine-fatigued, Bavarian-pretzel-chomping, teeth-brushing, haircut-fascinated, Circa-bewildered, elf-rattled, green-lawns-frowning, soggy-socks-wearing, Daylight-Savings-Time-scared, crossword-puzzle-puzzled, Elon-Musk-peeved, Barstool-Sports-triggered, almond-milk-sipping, hot-dog-eating-contest-protesting, mock-draft-scowling, L.L.-Bean-wearing, tennis fans’ advocate, Second Amendment abolitionist, Mike-Florio-arguing, parrot-insensitive, chewing-with-his-mouth-open, soup-gulping, California-train-romancing, anti-football proliferation, outhouse-admiring, airline-napping, steerage-flying, Yogi Berra-worshiping, urinal-picture-taking, video-game-playing, Taylor-Swift-listening, pickpocket-thwarting, Bucs-uniform-frowning, Allie LaForce-smitten, Big-Ten-Network-hating, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, craft-beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball-box-score-reading, NPR-honk, filthy-hotel-staying, fight-instigating, barista-training, Budweiser-tolerant, baseball-scorecard-keeping, pasta-feasting, vomit-dodging scrooge, Kay-Adams-following, Coors-Light-souring, pineapple-upside-down-cake-eating social activist and NFL insider Peter King, of NBC Sports fame.
King announced yesterday where his vote is going for “Comeback Player of the Year.” And he thinks it is a no-brainer.
Damar Hamlin over Baker Mayfield for Comeback Player. Easy choice.
More like lazy choice.
Look, Joe is not trying to mock Hamlin. His story is a fantastic and heartwarming human interest story, not a football story. Hamlin could have had a cardiac episode any number of ways, in practice, in a car wreck, learning about his New York State tax bill, chugging a disgusting mass-produced macro beer from Milwaukee, getting punched in the sack by an opponent, you name it.
Mayfield is a pure football story. His career was on the skids. Few if any wanted him, many counted him out.
Instead, he comes to the Bucs, has the best season of his career, and gets the Bucs two wins from the Super Bowl on a team many, including Mr. King, thought would be leading the Caleb Williams sweepstakes.
Let Hamlin be the subject of a Hallmark movie.
Mayfield is the real football version of “Comeback Player of the Year.”
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:01 pm
Agreed Joe. The only reason Hamlin is still in the NFL is the touchy feely part of it
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:03 pm
Hamlin barely played and was more likely on the team only due to basically dyeing on the field, Bake legit played and led his team to a division title and to the playoffs. King is a far left reporter who wants to make sure he is peeing with the wind, and going against all that is involved with Hamlin situation would not be that. Shame if Baker, who actually played the entire year does not get this award
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:08 pm
King is a ball washer. Always has been, Always will be.
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:13 pm
He lost.
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:17 pm
I’ll give it up for BM…. he deserves it.
still do not think he is the answer, but as long as we have TB….why draft a shiny new qb for him to get pummelled. keep him around if lovie stays.
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:19 pm
And pete king predicted 2 wins for the Bucs… yeah, he’s really credible.
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:23 pm
Again, for the 10000th time… what is Baker coming back from?
The award was LITERALLY created to acknowledge players who were coming back from major injuries.
Also, all winning comeback player of the award means, if you’re not coming back from being injured, is that you sucked the previous season. In that case, just call it the backhanded compliment award.
Give it to the guy who is literally coming back from a major injury, just like it was intended.
But in any case, why people give 2-cents about this dumb award is truly beyond me.
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:25 pm
It’s like the pro bowl…what’s the point?
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:28 pm
Baker is coming back from Matt Rhule & an injury riddled Rams team
Hamlin came back from dying
They are the same thing
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:29 pm
First Name Greatest Says:
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:28 pm
Baker is coming back from Matt Rhule & an injury riddled Rams team
Hamlin came back from dying
They are the same thing
———–
That is honestly the best argument I’ve heard on this so far.
No joke.
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:36 pm
Why that dummy gets to vote on anything is beyond me
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:38 pm
….I got 8000 reasons to care about it!! But, Im prepared for the let down …
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:41 pm
Rod Munch Says:
But in any case, why people give 2-cents about this dumb award is truly beyond me.
—-
you literally posted twice on this subject in comments
Finally an admission your posts aren’t worth a cent ? 🙂
Here here.
Couldn’t resist
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:51 pm
Don’t think Baker even wants this award. He never doubted himself after an injury riddled 2021. Someone said in another article that Mayfield got hurt in the 4th game of the 2021 season. Not true. He was hurt in the second game and played the entire season injured. Had surgery following the 2021 season and Browns screwed him in early 2022 by signing Watson who took off the entire 2021 season to pout about Houston’s management. Looks like Houston got the best laugh on that nonsense, Traded to the other most dysfunctional team in the NFL Carolina Panthers. Granted his release at mid-season and made things interesting in 2022 for an injury riddled Rams team. Honest people know that Mayfield outplayed most NFL QB’s in 2023. There certainly is a lot of data that supports this. Just compare Mayfield vs Mahomes, Matt Stafford, Josh Allen. In fact, it sort of looks like Jared Goff and Baker based on the entire season were in a virtual statistical dead heat.
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:51 pm
Lmao at Rod. Dude google is your friend. I love how confident you are about something you’re wrong about. It’s awarded for either coming back from injury OR poor performance in prior years. Took me 5 seconds to look it up.
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:55 pm
YaYa Winfield – Hey stupid, instead of googling, maybe read what I wrote.
“The award was LITERALLY created to acknowledge players who were coming back from major injuries.”
So now go google ‘why was the award CREATED’.
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:55 pm
BM is the MIP (Most Improved Player). As much as it kills me I have to agree with Rod Munch.
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:56 pm
Tony Marks – Hey Baker Boi, you’re one of the people that told me Baker has never ever been anything but the best QB in football, so why would you want him getting an award that acknowledges that he sucked last year? According to you and the rest of the dopes in your cult, Baker has never ever sucked, so by your own rules he’s ineligible for the award.
January 23rd, 2024 at 3:17 pm
According to Joe, Barker was viewed as a starter by other teams as well but chose the Bucs, so what did he came back from then?
January 23rd, 2024 at 3:18 pm
Solution….
Two categories……….Medical/Injury Comeback Player of the Year
Comeback Player of the Year
January 23rd, 2024 at 3:20 pm
I noticed Peter King graduated from Ohio University. He also served as a sports writer for the Cincinnati Enquirer from 1980-1985.
Is it possible that Peter King is a fan of The Ohio State University football program?
If so – I now understand where all of his Baker hate is stemming from…
Sept. 9th 2017 – Baker Mayfield threw for 386 yards and three touchdowns as No. 5 Oklahoma pulled ahead in the second half to knock off No. 2 Ohio State 31-16.
And, in a script usually reserved for wins inside the Cotton Bowl, Baker Mayfield planted the crimson-and-cream flag in the center of the OSU stadium.
Do you think this has been stuck in Peter King’s craw?
January 23rd, 2024 at 3:25 pm
The Award has bee given to both those coming back from Injury and those coming back from poor performance , but those who won had productive seasons that is the Difference Hamlin had 3 tackles .
January 23rd, 2024 at 3:27 pm
I love when people say they do not care about a award yet post about the award 4x
January 23rd, 2024 at 3:32 pm
Man, if Mayfield doesn’t win comeback player of the year? Holey smokes…how will I go on? Does he have incentives tied to this? No? Then ‘F’ it. I’ve never heard a guy bitch about NOT getting comeback player of the yr. Who gives a dang? Hamlin can have it. And the .25cents and go get himself a stale Publix gumball.
January 23rd, 2024 at 3:35 pm
If you don’t know, you’ll never know.
January 23rd, 2024 at 3:38 pm
Ohio University, not The Ohio State University.
Bobcats (MAC) not Buckeyes (B1G).
January 23rd, 2024 at 3:45 pm
I stopped reading Mrs. Petunia King when she ranted about how I needed to give up my guns so she could feel safe. That told me all I need to know about her.
January 23rd, 2024 at 3:48 pm
Todd Bowels for coach of the year!
Haha. Kidding.
January 23rd, 2024 at 3:58 pm
100% agree Baker should be the comeback player of the year. Anyone saying differently can’t compare and contrast.
“While the criteria for the award is imprecise,[1] it is typically given to a player who overcomes adversity to return to a remarkable level of performance, such as from not playing the previous season, injury, or for playing well in comparison to the previous year’s poor performance.”
Damar Hamlin: ‘22 had 91 combo tackles. Had cardiac arrest. TWO tackles in ‘23
Baker Mayfield: ‘22 had 2k yards/10td/8int dropped by 3 teams in 12 months. 4k yards/28td/10 int in 23’
Nothing remarkable about Damars performance. Flacco has a better case than him.
January 23rd, 2024 at 4:03 pm
So predictable and PC. And Kancey not making the all rookie team but Jalen Carter does? Writers don’t do their homework.
January 23rd, 2024 at 4:04 pm
🙄of course it is peter
January 23rd, 2024 at 4:05 pm
Dude with my name needs to change it
January 23rd, 2024 at 4:07 pm
I’m sure Baker will cry himself to sleep tonight
January 23rd, 2024 at 4:18 pm
Young people are dropping unexpectedly at an alarming rate as well. Like you said, a number of ways.
January 23rd, 2024 at 5:17 pm
F peter king
January 23rd, 2024 at 6:15 pm
Joe Says:
January 23rd, 2024 at 3:35 pm
Again, for the 10000th time… what is Baker coming back from?
If you don’t know, you’ll never know.
=============
Taking an award that was literally created for Frank Gifford, given to him for coming back from a major injury — that’s why the award exists.
I get it, the special teams nobodies that were getting injured and coming back, the public doesn’t care about those guys, don’t know their name, so they changed the meaning of the award to give to guys who sucked the previous year, and now didn’t suck.
It’s a backhanded compliant at best, and based on the history of the award, it’s a flat out misuse to just give it to bigger name players who aren’t coming back from anything.
A proper example of the award would go to someone like Godwin, a former all-pro player, who suffered a major injury, and came back ahead of schedule to get over 1000 yards. That’s a fantastic comeback and he should have won the 2022 comeback player award of Geno Smith, who didn’t come back from anything since he had never been anywhere.
Just because other people change the meaning of words doesn’t mean we all have to play along.
January 23rd, 2024 at 6:22 pm
There is nothing I can add since Joe totally nailed this from the start!!!
January 23rd, 2024 at 6:58 pm
Baker is the clear choice for that award and what a joke if he doesn’t get it!
Bucs get no freaking respect or coverage nationally and it sucks.
January 23rd, 2024 at 7:57 pm
Geno Smith won it last yr, so anyone that is saying it’s for injury only is just a dumb dumb
Booya
January 23rd, 2024 at 8:12 pm
Baker survived the vaccine, too, just not as dramatically.
January 23rd, 2024 at 8:45 pm
I thought Peter King was dead. I guess thats how irrelevant he has become.
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:08 pm
Was Geno Smith “literally” coming back from an injury when he won…”literally” LAST year 🤣🤣
Sometimes you have good takes, but this time, you’re the smartest guy in an empty room ☃️
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:08 pm
If anyone watched the games and Baker play in the past…. There not much difference in his play but better receivers and a defense. Yes, his stats are career highs but his actual play is the same. Baker is not more accurate nor throws the ball better…. He’s the same guy
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:17 pm
@Rod Munch per the NFL website:
In the 25 seasons since, a player has been given the award for overcoming adversity in prior season(s) to perform at a standout level. That adversity can be poor performance or injury.
You are wrong…again
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:20 pm
Peter King is one of the reasons I no longer visit PFT. No worries they’ll survive without me.
January 23rd, 2024 at 11:19 pm
I think Baker would rather have $100MM guaranteed over 3 years then an award for people who once needed a front parking space hang tag. Besides Payton Manning and Adrian Peterson winning the award after breaking a neck and tearing a knee, who else has won it?
I’d rather have the dough then the trophy on this one. Baker’s already legendary for once holding the rookie QB TD record and once holding the Browns by the balls. He squeezed so hard they paid Deshaun Watson $230MM guaranteed to not be squeezed by the balls.
January 24th, 2024 at 12:31 am
Peter King has a vote!?!…SMH
That just should not be!…
Go Bucs!
January 24th, 2024 at 8:23 am
Amen Joe. Completely agree
January 24th, 2024 at 10:20 am
I don’t understand,a comeback player doesn’t mean you play sparingly all year….. Hamlin doesn’t deserve it at all…he should give thanks to God for saving his life… Baker Mayfield absolutely deserves it… Peter King your an idiot
January 24th, 2024 at 3:24 pm
What a terribly written article lol Bias much? Baker did really good, but he wasn’t more impressive than even Flacco. No one wanted Flacco. He wasn’t signed by anyone. Browns did it as their 5th option out of desperation. As for Hamlin, it didn’t happen anywhere else. It happened on the field, televised, in front of the entire world. It’s a football story and a great one. My vote would be Flacco but your article and opinion is actually very sad and pathetic lol