Jets running back Breece Hall took being snubbed in the nominations for this year’s NFL Honors ceremony in stride.
While half of the internet lamented Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig missing out on Oscar nominations for “Barbie,” the other half complained about NFL award voters overlooking Hall in the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year category.
Everything will come full circle. I don’t discredit anyone and I’m happy for everyone up for the award!!! Never been the type to hate. I’ll get mine🤞🏾 Just wait!⏳
— Breece Hall (@BreeceH) January 25, 2024
Instead, the finalists are Browns quarterback Joe Flacco, Bills safety Damar Hamlin, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Breece Hall is not a finalist for comeback player of the year. Snubbed.
The finalists: Joe Flacco, Damar Hamlin, Baker Mayfield, Matthew Stafford, Tua Tagovailoa.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) January 25, 2024
Breece Hall got one of my votes for comeback player of the year. Truly surprised he wasn’t a finalist.
Also surprised there wasn’t more love for Sean McVay. https://t.co/Hzlu2NAJOY
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) January 25, 2024
After returning from a season-ending ACL injury in 2022, Hall finished 2023 with 299 touches and 1,585 yards from scrimmage, joining running backs Christian McCaffrey and Rachaad White as the only players with at least 900 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards this season.
Hall was the top receiving back in the league, totaling the most targets (95), receptions (76) and receiving yards (591) among running backs.
The finalists for AP Comeback Player of the Year! #NFLHonors@gillette @Headshoulders @oldspice @tide pic.twitter.com/UfLpiMrVJg
— NFL (@NFL) January 25, 2024
He certainly deserved a nomination, and while he was gracious to the other nominees, it’s fair to wonder if Flacco and Mayfield, in particular, should be in over Hall.
Flacco played in five games, less than a third of the season, while Mayfield would be better suited for a “Most Improved Player” category, which begs the question: Why doesn’t the NFL have a “Most Improved Player” category?
Instead, Hall has an entire offseason to use the snub as motivation so that it doesn’t happen again. Maybe this time next year, people will only be mad at the Academy.