Few awards in the NFL draw more debate than Comeback Player of the Year. Voters look past sympathy and focus on production. Players return with gaps on their stat sheets and pressure to close them. Some come off injury reports, others off bad seasons, but all walk back into a league that rarely waits.
Among them are players expected to bounce back in high-stakes NFL games, where top-rated sportsbooks offer competitive odds, fast payouts, and user-friendly access to player futures. As of July, sportsbooks have updated their 2025 odds boards, and five names lead the field, each for different reasons, but all with clear, traceable storylines. Dak Prescott currently sits atop that list.
1. Dak Prescott +300
Prescott enters the 2025 season as the current favorite to win Comeback Player of the Year, priced at +300 across major sportsbooks. After sustaining a right hamstring avulsion during the Cowboys’ 2024 Week 9 game against Philadelphia, he was placed on injured reserve and did not return for the remainder of the season. His absence marked the second time in four years that Prescott had missed significant time due to injury.
Commenting on his hamstring recovery in April, Prescott told NFL.com he could have played if needed, saying, “If I had to play a game today, I definitely could do that.” He has since resumed full participation in spring activities and is expected to lead Dallas into the regular season as their starting quarterback. His odds reflect both the team’s competitive window and his central role in the offense.
2. Aidan Hutchinson +320
Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson holds the second-shortest odds on the board at +320. He started the 2024 season with a dominant pass-rushing presence, recording 7.5 sacks through the first five games before suffering a leg injury in Week 6 that ruled him out for the remainder of the year. At the time of his injury, he was leading all defensive linemen in pressures and had entered Defensive Player of the Year conversations.
By mid-2025, Hutchinson had been medically cleared and was participating fully in organized team activities. Detroit’s defensive unit – among the league’s most improved in recent seasons – will be a focal point heading into the new season. Hutchinson’s early production, combined with a full recovery and postseason expectations for the Lions, underpins his strong position in the Comeback Player market.
3. Christian McCaffrey +370
Christian McCaffrey, third on the current odds board at +370, saw his 2024 season disrupted by lower-body injuries that limited him to just four appearances. He was placed on injured reserve after Week 6 due to Achilles tendinitis, followed by a partial PCL tear that ended his campaign entirely. It was a significant setback for a player who had led the league in scrimmage yards the year prior.
Christian McCaffrey began the offseason in April with zero restrictions, marking a full return to practice after his injury-plagued 2024 season. Reports from 49ers minicamp in June confirm his full participation and readiness for the upcoming year. Given his high-volume usage and consistent role in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, McCaffrey remains one of the most compelling comeback candidates in the field.
4. Trevor Lawrence +450
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence enters 2025 with +450 odds after undergoing shoulder surgery in December 2024. The injury, which ended his season early, came during a difficult stretch for the Jaguars’ offense, contributing to a midseason slide that ultimately cost the team a playoff berth. Lawrence’s performance leading up to the injury had been uneven, but he remains the team’s undisputed starter.
In April, the Jaguars confirmed that Lawrence was on track in his recovery and expected to be available for training camp. By June, he had resumed throwing during team sessions with no reported setbacks. With a new offensive coordinator and healthy roster, expectations for a full-season rebound are reflected in his top-five position on the CPOY futures board.
5. J.J. McCarthy +850
Rounding out the top five is Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, currently priced at +850. While he is not returning from injury, McCarthy’s appearance on the Comeback Player of the Year list reflects a growing betting interest in first-year starters. Selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, he is projected to start Week 1 following Minnesota’s offseason changes at quarterback.
McCarthy is entering training camp expected to compete for the starting role. His appearance among the top five in the market reflects confidence in his potential to contribute immediately in a high-visibility position. While not a traditional comeback candidate, his odds position him as a breakout watch for bettors evaluating value beyond the usual injury returnees.
