The Kansas City Chiefs enter the season looking to reestablish themselves atop the AFC West, buoyed by the return of two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes after a devastating ACL tear ended his 2025 campaign.
With Mahomes fully cleared during training camp, the superstar is fresh off a massive contract extension and joins Kyler Murray and Malik Nabers among the early favorites in the NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds.
Here are the latest NFL odds as we build toward Week 1.
NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds
| Player Name | Probability |
|---|---|
| 36% | |
| 18% | |
| 8% | |
| 6% | |
| 6% | |
| 6% | |
| 5% | |
| 4% | |
| 4% | |
| 4% |
Odds as of 8-12. Percentages courtesy of Kalshi.
Kalshi is a regulated financial exchange where you trade on real-world event outcomes. Instead of traditional odds, prices are listed as percentages (0-100%), representing the market’s estimated probability of an event occurring.
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google accountDid you know that in all but three of the last 11 seasons, the player who has won Comeback Player of the Year has played in five or fewer games?@Covers_josh has a few names that you should AVOID betting this season, but also one you should consider at the current price 👀 https://t.co/FEavmYAGhf pic.twitter.com/tTSIAl9cKJ
— Covers Football (@Covers_Football) August 11, 2026

Return of a Rams Legend?
The Los Angeles Rams were already the betting favorite following the blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett, and adding three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald would solidify their case as the team to beat in the NFC.
Donald has reportedly been working out throughout the summer to determine whether he’s willing and physically ready for a comeback after retiring in 2024.
With the Rams hosting the Super Bowl this season, Donald returning to hoist another Lombardi Trophy on home turf would be an incredible Hollywood sequel.
🔥 @AaronDonald97 is completely dialed in
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) August 10, 2026
(Via IG/210ths) pic.twitter.com/n1cAnogdpF
NFL Comeback Player of the Year prediction
Concussion history aside, Tua Tagovailoa should really benefit from a change of scenery with the Atlanta Falcons.
Tua spent three consecutive years from 2022–2024 leading the league in either passer rating, passing yards, or completion percentage, and landing in an offense featuring Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts could give the Falcons quarterback production similar to his best days under Mike McDaniel.
Tagovailoa will also escape the cold conditions of the AFC East, no longer having to play in Buffalo or Foxborough, instead spending half his time indoors at home in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, along with favorable environments in New Orleans and Tampa Bay.
If anything, Tagovailoa should feel like he's back in his SEC college days.
CPOY Pick: Tua Tagovailoa (1% probability at Kalshi)
Popular NFL futures markets
NFL Comeback Player of the Year betting trends
• Over the last eight years, the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award has gone to a quarterback seven times.
• 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.
• Joe Burrow joins Chad Pennington (2006 and 2008) as the only player to win this award twice.
Previous NFL Comeback Player of the Year award winners
| Year | NFL CPOY winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Christian McCaffrey | |
| 2024 | Joe Burrow | |
| 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 |
Comeback Player of the Year Odds FAQs
Quarterbacks have won CPOY in seven of the last 10 years.
Patrick Mahomes is the current favorite to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.






