NFL Comeback Player of the Year Odds: Joe Burrow Leads the Way

Joe Burrow, Sam Darnold, JK Dobbins, Christian Gonzalez and Damar Hamlin are the finalists for the award.

Trevor Knapp - Publishing Editor at Covers.com
Trevor Knapp • Publishing Editor
Jan 23, 2025 • 12:29 ET • 3 min read
NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds Joe Burrow
Photo By - USA TODAY Sports. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9).

The finalists for NFL Comeback Player of the Year were named on Jan. 23. Joe Burrow, Sam Darnold, JK Dobbins, Christian Gonzalez or Damar Hamlin will win the award. Burrow remains the favorite to win with around -210 odds at most sportsbooks.

NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds

Player Team Position FanDuel
Joe Burrow Bengals Cincinnati Bengals QB -210
Sam Darnold

Vikings Minnesota Vikings

QB +145
JK Dobbins

Chargers LA Chargers

RB +1600
Damar Hamlin

Bills Buffalo Bills

S +17000
Christian Gonzalez

Patriots New England Patriots

CB +20000

NFL Comeback Player of the Year favorite

Joe Burrow (-210)

When Joe Burrow suffered a torn ligament in his wrist in Week 11 last season, not only did it mark the end of his season, but also the Cincinnati Bengals' playoff hopes.

Already named Comeback Player of the Year after leading Cincy to a Super Bowl appearance following an ACL tear the previous season, Burrow capped the 2024-25 season ranking first in passing yards (4,918) and passing touchdowns (43).

The Bengals ultimately fell short of making the playoffs, but they can thank Burrow for keeping their hopes alive, including leading the team to five straight wins to close out the season.

Sam Darnold (+145)

Lend credit to Kevin O'Connell as a quarterback whisperer, because Sam Darnold broke out in his first season with the Minnesota Vikings

After initially failing to launch with the Jets, the former top prospect bounced between short stints with Carolina and San Francisco, before signing a one-year deal with the Vikings over the offseason. 

After J.J. McCarthy tore his meniscus during the preseason, Darnold took the reigns as Minny's starter and never looked back.

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NFL Comeback Player of the Year betting splits

  • Following Week 18, Joe Burrow is commanding 39.1% of the handle and 13.61% of tickets at BetMGM.

  • Nick Chubb topped the total amount of pre-Week 1 tickets wagered at BetMGM (15.1%), with Kyler Murray presenting the highest liability at +2,000. 

NFL Comeback Player of the Year betting trends

• Over the last six years, the NFL CPOY Award has been handed out to a quarterback.

• Although Ryan Tannehill won the award in 2019 after bouncing back from a poor 2018 season, the NFL CPOY Award has been handed out to players coming off significant injuries in recent years. Over a five-year period from 2014 to 2018, every Comeback Player of the Year had suffered a season-ending injury during the previous year — and Alex Smith won in 2020 after recovering from a devastating leg injury that almost required amputation. 

• Only one player has ever won this award more than once (Chad Pennington in 2006 and 2008). 

Previous NFL Comeback Player of the Year award winners

Year NFL CPOY winner Team
2023 Joe Flacco Browns Cleveland Browns
2022 Geno Smith Seahawks Seattle Seahawks
2021 Joe Burrow Bengals Cincinnati Bengals
2020 Alex Smith Commanders Washington Commanders
2019 Ryan Tannehill Titans Tennessee Titans
2018 Andrew Luck Colts Indianapolis Colts
2017 Keenan Allen Chargers Los Angeles Chargers
2016 Jordy Nelson Packers Green Bay Packers
2015 Eric Berry Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs
2014 Rob Gronkowski Patriots New England Patriots
2013 Philip Rivers Chargers Los Angeles Chargers
2012 Peyton Manning Broncos Denver Broncos
2011 Matthew Stafford Lions Detroit Lions
2010 Michael Vick Eagles Philadelphia Eagles
2009 Tom Brady Patriots New England Patriots
2008 Chad Pennington Dolphins Miami Dolphins

How to bet on NFL awards odds

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when wagering on NFL awards betting odds.  

Change your strategy at different points in the season

NFL awards odds will be adjusted by sportsbooks as the season goes on. In the preseason and the early weeks of the regular season, betting on dark horses can prove very profitable. As the season continues, expect to see odds tighten around the favorites. At that point, it becomes wise to focus on the players near the top of the odds board and betting big underdogs is unwise.

Look for value with underdogs

Live long shots can provide tremendous value. Look at younger players on the verge of breaking out, or guys that have already been playing at a high level but could take the next step now that they are in an ideal situation with a new team, coach or system. Other players that can give a great payout are established stars coming off underperforming seasons due to injuries or other factors.  

Follow the narrative

When placing futures bets on individual awards, keep in mind that voters, not a scoreboard, are often the deciding factor. Voters can be influenced by a variety of factors, including media coverage and public opinion. Consider what the media narrative is for a particular season and which players they seem to be rooting for and against. 

Research historical trends

Historical trends, especially recent ones, can give you a good idea of which way voters tend to lean. For example, the NFL MVP has been handed out to a quarterback in 14 of the last 15 seasons. Identifying those trends is a good way to separate the true contenders from the pretenders. 

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Comeback Player of the Year Odds FAQs

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Trevor Knapp - Covers
Publishing Editor

Trevor joined the Covers content team as a publishing editor in early 2022. Growing up in Vancouver, he studied Broadcast and Online Journalism at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), and interned with TSN and Sportsnet Radio while also writing for the Daily Hive.

An avid bettor of the MLB, NFL, and CFL, Trevor advises his fellow sports bettors to leave their hearts at the door and not hesitate to fade their favorite team. It's a strategy he follows regularly as an apathetic Toronto Blue Jays and Indianapolis Colts fan.

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