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The award for NFL Comeback Player of the Year has gone to some legends of the game, but it’s also difficult to predict who will take it home.
Going into last season, Damar Hamlin was an overwhelming favorite following his cardiac arrest the previous year. However, Joe Flacco rode in late for the Cleveland Browns and stole the award from Hamlin.
Appearing in just five games last year, Hamlin finished second in the voting behind Flacco, who also appeared in five games. Voters ultimately favored Flacco’s impact on a playoff team when giving him the trophy.
Hamlin received 21 first-place votes, but Flacco had more total vote points.
Let’s look at the favorites to win the award in the 2024-25 NFL season at our favorite NFL betting sites.
2024-25 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Odds
All NFL CPOY odds from FanDuel Sportsbook heading into NFL Week 13 and subject to change.
- Joe Burrow: -110
- Kirk Cousins: +230
- Kyler Murray: +750
- Nick Chubb: +1200
- Justin Herbert: +3000
- Damar Hamlin: +5000
Criteria for Comeback Player Award
While there aren’t set criteria for this award, it typically goes to a player who bounces back after missing significant time with an injury the previous year, suffering a major performance drop—or both.
Still, storyline is important.
The last safety to win the award was Eric Berry in 2015. Berry, of the Kansas City Chiefs, overcame cancer treatment to return to action and make the Pro Bowl. The award typically goes to an offensive player, with Berry also being the last defensive player to snag it.
Prior to Flacco last year, only two players had ever won the award while appearing in fewer than 10 games.
Tedy Bruschi played nine games when he won the 2005 award after suffering a stroke earlier in the year. Similarly, Alex Smith took home the comeback hardware after playing eight in 2020 following a life-threatening leg injury.
Keep that in mind when betting on this award. We also recommend wagering on younger players coming off injuries who may still be in their prime years, making them more likely to bounce back.
Odds and lines will vary based on the NFL betting site. Betting on the NFL can cause problems for some players. Always gamble responsibly by setting a budget and understanding the vig.
NFL Comeback Player of the Year Winners
See below for the list of NFL Comeback Player of the Year winners since 1998.
- 2023: Joe Flacco
- 2022: Geno Smith
- 2021: Joe Burrow
- 2020: Alex Smith
- 2019: Ryan Tannehill
- 2018: Andrew Luck
- 2017: Keenan Allen
- 2016: Jordy Nelson
- 2015: Eric Berry
- 2014: Rob Gronkowski
- 2013: Philip Rivers
- 2012: Peyton Manning
- 2011: Matthew Stafford
- 2010: Michael Vick
- 2009: Tom Brady
- 2008: Chad Pennington
- 2007: Greg Ellis
- 2006: Chad Pennington
- 2005: Tedy Bruschi & Steve Smith Sr.
- 2004: Drew Brees
- 2003: Jon Kitna
- 2002: Tommy Maddox
- 2001: Garrison Hearst
- 2000: Joe Johnson
- 1999: Bryant Young
- 1998: Doug Flutie
