NFL Comeback Player of the Year Odds 2026: Patrick Mahomes is Favored
The NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds are favoring Patrick Mahomes, who’s won two MVPs and three Super Bowls. But he’s got Kyler Murray and Jayden Daniels both trailing him closely in the early preseason projections.
Betting on this year’s NFL Comeback Player of the Year will require plenty of scrutiny and careful consideration. That’s where our expertise comes in handy. Continue reading as we provide information on what bookies are projecting for 2026.
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The NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds in 2026 peg Patrick Mahomes as a 33.3% favorite. But many other players are in the race, including three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, who recently unretired.
| Player | NFL Comeback Player of the Year Odds (via FanDuel) |
|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | +200 |
| Kyler Murray | +500 |
| Aaron Donald | +700 |
| Jayden Daniels | +750 |
| Daniel Jones | +1400 |
| Malik Nabers | +1600 |
| Tucker Kraft | +2500 |
| George Kittle | +2700 |
| Fred Warner | +3300 |
| Nick Bosa | +4000 |
*Odds as of Sept. 2, 2026
NFL Comeback Player of the Year Betting Favorites
The preseason NFL odds from FanDuel make it clear that Patrick Mahomes is this year’s frontrunner. But anything could happen in 2026, as an unlikely winner could emerge. But for now, let’s take a closer look at the top betting favorites:
Patrick Mahomes, +200
The NFL Comeback Player of the Year betting odds favor Mahomes, who’s already a future Hall of Famer. But 2025 was a year to forget: Mahomes tore his ACL in Week 15 against the LA Chargers, and the Chiefs stumbled to a 6-11 record.
If Mahomes can stay healthy (and play at a high level, which is pretty normal for him), he’s an obvious choice for the award. Redemption for what happened last season will certainly motivate him as well.
Kyler Murray, +500
Kyler Murray will play his first season for a team other than the Arizona Cardinals. And a fresh start could benefit him immensely, especially since he played in just five games in 2025 (his season ended early due to a foot injury).
The odds to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year tell us that Kyler Murray is in the mix. And he’s someone you can’t ignore, especially since Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell is a master at rehabilitating veteran QBs.
Aaron Donald, +700
The current NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds recently added Aaron Donald as a potential contender. And this one is a no-brainer, as Donald, who’s also a future Hall of Famer, was about to enter his third year of retirement.
Donald’s addition to the Rams’ roster enhances the team’s Super Bowl odds as well. But is he going to be the same player he once was after a two-year hiatus? Donald is a physical freak, but regaining his NFL form could take some time.
Jayden Daniels, +750
Jayden Daniels also ranks high in the 2026 NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds. After winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024, Washington’s franchise QB then missed 10 games during his sophomore NFL season.
There’s no denying that Daniels, who’s a former Heisman Trophy winner, is a special player. Even the NFL MVP odds are pretty favorable to him. At +2000, the preseason odds put Daniels ahead of Sam Darnold, Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jalen Hurts.
Daniel Jones, +1400
Make sure you include Daniel Jones in your potential NFL Comeback Player of the Year picks. The Colts’ QB isn’t the most efficient passer, but he’s very much a capable player. Prior to injury in 2025, Jones was on pace to eclipse 4,300 passing yards and 30 total touchdowns.
The Colts were destined for greatness last season before Jones tore his Achilles tendon in Week 14 against Jacksonville. But since he played in Indianapolis’ system last season (and had success in it), it's safe to say that he’s at least a contender for Comeback Player of the Year.
NFL Comeback Player of the Year Sleeper Picks
The best NFL betting sites also offer some juicy odds for several longshots contending for Comeback Player of the Year. And there are a few sleepers we simply can’t ignore because of their potential to deliver a career-defining performance this season.
Nick Bosa, +4000
There’s no getting around Nick Bosa as a sleeper pick in this category. The former Defensive Player of the Year appeared in only three games last season after he suffered a torn ACL. But he’s still got plenty of firepower off the edge, which is why we like his chances here.
As far as NFL Comeback Player of the Year predictions go, Bosa should be near the top of your list. He’s an excellent player for a really good team in San Francisco — a team that’s vying for a Super Bowl this season.
Travis Hunter, +5500
Travis Hunter is a dynamic two-way player who’s also a former Heisman Trophy winner. His rookie season, though, was cut short in 2025 due to a knee injury. But if he can play the entire season full-time on offense and defense, he’ll have a legitimate chance at claiming this award.
Brock Bowers, +6000
Arguably the best NFL tight end, Bowers spent significant time on injured reserve in 2025. And even though he missed five games, he played well enough while he was healthy to earn a Pro Bowl selection. That should tell you how good he is.
NFL Comeback Player of the Year Prediction
Our prediction for the 2026 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award is Patrick Mahomes. He’s a true gunslinger who’s probably eager to put 2025 behind him. He’s on a path towards redemption this season, and we’re confident that he’ll return as an elite QB.
NFL Comeback Player of the Year Winners History
The previous winners of this award can be very helpful in helping inform your prediction for 2026. The truth is that players in many different stages of their careers have won Comeback Player of the Year.
Here are the previous 25 winners:
- 2025: Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco
- 2024: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati
- 2023: Joe Flacco, Browns
- 2022: Geno Smith, Seahawks
- 2021: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati
- 2020: Alex Smith, Washington
- 2019: Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee
- 2018: Andrew Luck, Indianapolis
- 2017: Keenan Allen, Los Angeles
- 2016: Jordy Nelson, Green Bay
- 2015: Eric Berry, Kansas City
- 2014: Rob Gronkowski, New England
- 2013: Philip Rivers, San Diego
- 2012: Peyton Manning, Denver
- 2011: Matthew Stafford, Detroit
- 2010: Michael Vick, Philadelphia
- 2009: Tom Brady, New England
- 2008: Chad Pennington, Miami
- 2007: Greg Ellis, Dallas
- 2006: Chad Pennington, New York
- 2005: Steve Smith Sr./Teddy Bruschi, Carolina/New England
- 2004: Drew Brees, San Diego
- 2003: Jon Kitna, Cincinnati
- 2002: Tommy Maddox, Pittsburgh
- 2001: Garrison Hearst, San Francisco
How to Bet on NFL Comeback Player of the Year Odds in 2026
The NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds are available on sportsbooks like DraftKings and BetMGM. And you’ll need to create an account and make a deposit before betting on your prediction.
This may sound daunting, but the process is actually very intuitive and straightforward. Here’s what you need to do:
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Choose an Operator. Make sure you click our link to go to the sportsbook operator you wish to join. This way, you’ll end up in the right place as you go through the sign-up process.
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Create an Account. Next, you’ll provide information regarding your identity, such as your name, date of birth, address, etc. Every regulated sportsbook requires you to submit these details to confirm that you’re legally able to sign up.
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Claim a Bonus. You’ll then claim your bonus, which involves certain requirements. Every bonus has a minimum deposit threshold and often requires you to make a qualifying wager.
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Deposit Funds. Next, you’ll load up your account with money by visiting the online cashier and picking a deposit method. Then you’ll enter your payment info and deposit amount before finalizing the request.
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Explore Betting Markets. Once there’s money in your account, you'll navigate the sportsbook and explore the ‘NFL Futures’ category for Comeback Player of the Year.
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Add a Wager to Your Bet Slip. You’ll click on the odds associated with the player you’re predicting to win. This will add the wager to your bet slip.
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Confirm Your Bet. You’ll review your bet slip to confirm that the wager you chose is correct. Then, you’ll submit your wager, and the rest is history!
How to Read Odds to Win NFL Comeback Player of the Year
The NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds follow the American format. Plus (+) and minus (-) symbols indicate longshots and frontrunners, respectively. With longer odds, the payout is always much more profitable than with shorter odds.
Here’s an example to illustrate how it works: Let’s say you pick Patrick Mahomes as your Comeback Player of the Year in 2026 at +200 odds. You wager $100 that he will win the award. If your prediction is correct, you’ll receive a $200 payout.
Where to Bet on Comeback Player of the Year Odds
You can bet on this year’s NFL Comeback Player of the Year award right now or during the season. You’ll need an account with a regulated sportsbook such as FanDuel or BetMGM to place a wager.
Many NFL betting apps are covering the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award and other NFL futures. For example, you can try your luck by picking this year’s MVP and Super Bowl winners.
You can also take advantage of NFL betting promos to improve your profits. Odds boosts offer you the chance to increase your payout, and with bonus bets, you can expand your bankroll, which gives you more opportunities to win. You can try your luck by picking this year's MVP winner or checking the latest Super Bowl odds.
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