The 2026-27 NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds are now open for new action at legal online sportsbooks. The current betting favorite is Christian McCaffrey (), with Dak Prescott () tailing.
Latest NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds for 2026
Breaking down previous NFL Comeback Player of the Year winners
The table below has details on the last decade of NFL Comeback Player of the Year award winners.
| Year | Player | Team | Came back from? | Age |
| 2024 | Joe Burrow | Bengals | Wrist surgery (November 2023) | 28 |
| 2023 | Joe Flacco (QB) | Browns | Declining performance | 38 |
| 2022 | Geno Smith (QB) | Seahawks | Took over starting role | 33 |
| 2021 | Joe Burrow (QB) | Bengals | Return from knee surgery | 25 |
| 2020 | Alex Smith (QB) | Washington | Missed entire season — leg injury | 36 |
| 2019 | Ryan Tannehill (QB) | Titans | Trade from Dolphins | 31 |
| 2018 | Andrew Luck (QB) | Colts | Lost season — shoulder injury | 29 |
| 2017 | Keenan Allen (WR) | Chargers | Torn ACL in previous season opener | 25 |
| 2016 | Jordy Nelson (WR) | Packers | Lost season — torn ACL | 31 |
| 2015 | Eric Berry (S) | Chiefs | Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis and treatment | 27 |
The NFL Comeback Player of the Year award celebrates players who overcome significant setbacks to make an impact on the field. Recent winners have delivered memorable comeback stories, whether returning from serious injuries, rebuilding their careers, or bouncing back from challenging seasons.
Alex Smith earned the award in 2020 after making an extraordinary return from a devastating leg injury. Joe Burrow followed in 2021 after recovering from a torn ACL, while Geno Smith won in 2022 after revitalizing his NFL career. In 2023, Joe Flacco received the honor after an impressive late-season run with the Cleveland Browns.
Burrow claimed the award again in 2024 following his recovery from wrist surgery. He led the NFL in passing yards and touchdown passes, capping a remarkable individual season. With that victory, Burrow became only the second player in NFL history to win Comeback Player of the Year twice.
Comeback Player of the Year odds tracker
Here’s a look at the odds for Comeback Player of the Year award contenders and the movement since the initial release of lines at sports betting sites in the US. Click on the current odds if you wish to place a bet.
| Player | Current Odds | July 22 Odds | Opening Odds |
| Aidan Hutchinson | +285 | +250 | |
| Dak Prescott | +290 | +310 | |
| Christian McCaffrey | +315 | +300 | |
| Trevor Lawrence | +500 | +450 | |
| J.J. McCarthy | +750 | +700 | |
| Nick Chubb | +4750 | +4000 | |
| Maxx Crosby | +2500 | +2250 | |
| Daniel Jones | +2500 | N/A | |
| Stefon Diggs | +2750 | +2900 | |
| Tua Tagovailoa | +2050 | +2000 | |
| Chris Godwin | +3250 | +3250 | |
| Rashee Rice | +1400 | +1300 | |
| Deshaun Watson | +5000 | +4500 | |
| Brandon Aiyuk | +3500 | +2750 |
History of quarterbacks winning Comeback Player of the Year
Quarterbacks have dominated the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in recent years, winning the honor in each of the past six seasons. That run came after a four-year stretch in which players at other positions took home the award, following another six-year streak of quarterback winners.
The betting market reflects that history, with quarterbacks often filling most of the top spots on the preseason odds board. Several early favorites are returning from significant injuries, making them strong contenders if they can stay healthy and put together successful comeback seasons.
Recent voting has also highlighted the importance of performance and narrative. Voters tend to favor players who overcome adversity while making a meaningful impact on their teams. As the season progresses, health, team success, and individual statistics can all play a major role in determining the winner.
NFL Comeback Player of the Year FAQ
Chad Pennington won the award in 2006 as a member of the New York Jets and in 2008 with the Miami Dolphins. Chargers RB Paul Lowe won the award in 1963 and 1965.
The Chargers have produced the most Comeback Player of the Year award winners with five. Keenan Allen (2017) was the team’s most recent winner. The Patriots are next with four.
The AP Comeback Player of the Year was first awarded in 1963. Through 1966, one NFL and one AFL player each received an award. The honor was sidelined from 1967 to 1997 and has been awarded annually since 1998.
Yes. The award is open to players at any position, including quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and defensive players, as long as they have overcome injury, illness, or other setbacks to return to the field.