The NFL Comeback Player of the Year is a prestigious award, but for a different reason than most NFL awards. Awards like Defensive Rookie of the Year are based solely around a player’s performance in a season. Comeback Player of the Year, though, is based on how a player performs along with their ability to rebound from an injury or otherwise unfortunate situation.
Recent recipients of this award have come back from knee injuries, broken bones, and even a return from a fight against cancer. While the players in the running for other awards may have had better seasons, the players in the running for this award are typically players who we are all simply glad to see back on the field performing at a high level.
This season, there are a few great candidates to win the Comeback Player of the Year award, both in terms of their ability and their fight to get back on the field. There are also a few simple redemption stories that have nothing to do with returning from injury, as some players just look to get back to their best level of play on the field.
Alright, now that the sentimental side of the post has been covered, let’s look at the odds for this year’s NFL Comeback Player of the Year:
NFL Comeback Player Of The Year Odds
| Player | Comeback Player of the Year Odds |
| Joe Burrow | -125 |
| Sam Darnold | -105 |
NFL Comeback Player of the Year Race
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
The favorite at NFL betting sites to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2024 is Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals narrowly missed out on the playoffs this season, but Burrow was incredible and dragged them to a winning record despite all of the problems with their roster on defense. Burrow probably deserves MVP consideration along with this award, but he may have to settle for this honor.
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings won 14 games this season and Sam Darnold was a huge reason for their success. Darnold was not expected to be the starting quarterback in Minnesota this year, but an injury to JJ McCarthy before the season thrust him in that role. Darnold responded admirably and he has a chance to take home some individual hardware as he leads his team into the playoffs.
Other Comeback Player of the Year Candidates
This year’s field for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award was simply loaded. But beyond the two players listed above, it is highly unlikely that we see anyone else win this award at the end of the day. Look for either Burrow or Darnold to come away with Comeback Player of the Year honors and for everyone else to fall short.
NFL Comeback Player of the Year Prediction
The quarterback position has dominated the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award recently. Quarterbacks have won this award five of the last six years, with Andrew Luck, Ryan Tannehill, Alex Smith, Joe Burrow, and Geno Smith making up that group and Damar Hamlin being the exception to the rule. We will take another quarterback to win this award, as Burrow’s statistical output will make him the undeniable choice to win this individual honor.
