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NFL Comeback Player of the Year Predictions with Betting Odds

by Mike Allen - 8/14/2025

NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds and predictions Maxx Crosby Las Vegas Raiders

The Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award last season. This was cool to see, but the man deserved to be the league's Most Valuable Player, but wasn't considered because he couldn't at least carry his team into postseason contention.

Some of this year's candidates include Michigan native and Detroit Lions' edge rushing sensation Aidan Hutchinson. He is the Comeback Player of the Year odds-on betting favorite with a line of less than 3-1 at (+275) to win the award. 

It's been about ten months since the University of Michigan Wolverine had his shin bone snapped on national television. I can't imagine breaking my tibia, much less my fibula as well. It's one of the scariest things for me ot think about as a Muay Thai practitioner. The tibia is very strong when you hit it head-on, but when the force comes in at an angle, that's when it can give way.

This is his award to lose. It should be noted that this one is based on feeling. Think about how we all felt when we saw this happen. You didn't have to be a Lions fan to feel this one. His team truly missed him, and who knows? The Lions may have won the Super Bowl had he not gotten hurt.

Also on the list, with surprisingly similar betting odds at an even 3-1, is the Dallas Cowboys' quarterback Dak Prescott, who tore his hamstring in October and missed the remainder of the year.

I believe his inclusion here at the top of the betting board is more about his leadership position on "America's Team" than anything else. He can win the award, but he'll have to do more than Hutchinson throughout the year to do so.

Another household name at the top of the list of betting odds to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award is San Francisco 49er Christian McCaffrey, with betting odds of (+350).

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Betting Odds to Win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year

Aidan Huthcinson: +275

Dak Prescott: +300

Christian McCaffrey: +350

Trevor Lawrence: +475

J.J. McCarthy: +800

Nick Chubb: +1200

Maxx Crosby:  +2500

Stefon Diggs: +2500

Tua Tagovailoa: +2500

Anthony Richardson: +3000

Chris Godwin: +3500

Cooper Kupp: +4000

Brandon Aiyuk: +5000

Rashee Rice: +5000

Chris Olave: +5000

Best Bets to Win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year

Aidan Hutchinson: +275

In case you couldn't tell from the extensive opener and the betting odds, the 2025 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award is more or less a two-horse race, minus Prescott, but he isn't on the level of either Hutchinson or McCaffrey.

Reports coming out of Lions camp are downright scary as Lions quarterback Jared Goff said Hutchinson looks better than ever and compared his dominance in practice to the great Aaron Donald.

Add in the fact that he was born in the Detroit suburb of Plymouth, Michigan, went to school in Ann Arbor, and, of course, was drafted by the Lions, and again, it's his award to lose. Another major factor to consider here is his age. The man was born in the year 2000 and just turned 25 years old less than a week ago. That's younger than some rookies.

His body will recover faster, and there is zero doubt he's hungrier than ever.

Christian McCaffrey: +350

Not quite as young but equally, if not more, determined to return to his previous form is the Niners' McCaffrey. Two years ago, the Stanford alum had more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage.

This will work against him with the award, though, as this is quite a long way to come back. If anyone can do it, it's him, though. His injuries, thankfully, weren't complete tears, but his Achilles and the PCL in his knee were bad enough to keep him out for most of the season.

The man will be 30 in June, but his popularity and profile put him up there. He's also the clear focal point and X-factor in Kyle Shananan's offense. Without him, his entire team looked lost.

I like a bet on Hutchinson more so, but throw a few bucks on the Niner as well because the fire in his soul burns brighter than ever, even for a running back at his age.

Cooper Kupp: +4000

Will the newest Seattle Seahawk, Cooper Kupp, ever return to his original form? The answer, in all likelihood, is no. That isn't to say he can't win this award, however. He has the popularity and personality, and seems like the type of player fans and the media want to get behind.

This is the first year Kupp will play outside of Los Angeles, and that in and of itself is a storyline that could lead to a few votes, especially going to a team like the Seahawks in the same division as the LA Rams.

There are several reasons his betting odds are nearly 12x more than McCaffrey's at 40-1. We also have to be honest with ourselves, though, and admit there is a path to victory for the Yakima, Washington-born Kupp.

There is that. He is returning to his home state to play against his former team twice this season. By far his best year was in 2021 when he nearly had 2,000 yards receiving. If you compare his other years to the previous three, however, they aren't that much different.

The new sheriff under center, Sam Darnold, can sling it. The chemistry between the two vets should be fine, and with wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba expected to have a career year, Kupp will get plenty of advantageous matchups in the slot.

Darnold doesn't have the arm talent of Matthew Stafford, but he gets through his reads as fast as anyone. Give him time in the pocket, and he will find Kupp with consistency. 

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