The NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds feature a clear frontrunner with only three weeks left in the regular season, but there’s still time for a twist. Christian McCaffrey is leading the way in the betting markets, though Philip Rivers’ return has shaken up the top of the board.
I’m here to help by exploring the latest COTY odds for the 2025-26 season and analyzing all the main contenders. If you read to the end, you will find my prediction for the 2025 Comeback Player of the Year.
2025-2026 Comeback Player of the Year Odds
See the table below for the updated NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds, courtesy of BetUS.
| PLAYER | CPOY ODDS |
|---|---|
| Christian McCaffrey (SF) | -240 |
| Philip Rivers (IND) | +500 |
| Dak Prescott (DAL) | +700 |
| Trevor Lawrence (JAX) | +750 |
| Aidan Hutchinson (DET) | +3500 |
| J.J. McCarthy (MIN) | +8000 |
San Francisco 49ers’ RB Christian McCaffrey (-240) has emerged as the clear favorite to win the 2025-26 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. He opened the season with the third-best odds at +350, but that line has now moved to -240.
By late November, McCaffrey was listed at -130 and then all the way up to -240, a jump that translated to an implied probability increase from 56.5% to 70.6% in just one month.
He appeared to be closing in on the award, but 44-year-old Philip Rivers returning to the field has thrown a major curveball into the race. With the Colts’ quarterback situation in rough shape, Rivers got the call from his former team and answered.
Meanwhile, Dak Prescott (+700) has slipped out of the top tier of contenders. His odds have drifted from +120 to +700, a steep decline in implied probability from 45.5% to 12.5%. McCaffrey still seems to have a clear path, but can Rivers mount a miraculous late-season push?
If you want to see more candidates, you can find the Comeback Player of the Year odds at BetUS > Sportsbook > NFL > NFL Season Awards > Comeback Player of the Year.
NFL Comeback Player of the Year Favorites
As we discovered above, McCaffrey and Rivers are the obvious frontrunners with only three weeks remaining in the regular season. The odds at the top NFL betting sites suggest the race should go down to the wire, so let’s break down McCaffrey and Rivers’ chances below:
Christian McCaffrey (-240)
After returning from multiple injuries last season, including Achilles, calf, and PCL tears, McCaffrey is now the frontrunner for Comeback Player of the Year. He missed the first eight games last season due to Achilles and calf issues, then suffered a PCL injury in a Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
McCaffrey is no stranger to accolades. The 29-year-old won the 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year award after leading the league in rushing and is a three-time All-Pro with several honors from his college career at Stanford.
Now, he’s on the verge of adding NFL Comeback Player of the Year to his collection. This season, McCaffrey has rushed for 922 yards and nine touchdowns at 3.6 yards per carry, and he’s added 820 receiving yards and five scores.
A man on a mission.#ProBowlVote Christian McCaffrey pic.twitter.com/0ZmCO8CGJT
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 14, 2025
The dual-threat potential with McCaffrey as a runner and pass catcher is what makes him so dangerous. He isn’t far off from recording 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season, which would be the first time a player has done it twice in his career.
With the 49ers also getting healthier, the improved roster results are evident in the standings. At 10-4 through 14 games, the 49ers are playoff contenders, thanks largely to McCaffrey’s outstanding play among NFL running backs this season.
Given McCaffrey’s huge success on the football field, and the multiple injuries he’s had to overcome, it’s clear why he has the clear edge to win Comeback Player of the Year at -240 odds.
Philip Rivers (+500)
With Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones on injured reserve, the Colts turned to a familiar face to take over at quarterback. Philip Rivers, who hadn’t played a snap since 2020, came out of retirement to fill in.
Rivers took the reins for the Colts’ Week 15 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. He performed about as well as you could hope for from a 44-year-old who came off the couch to play his first game in five years.
While his arm strength has clearly diminished, Rivers stood strong in the pocket and delivered some quality throws, including a touchdown pass to Josh Downs in the red zone. He finished with 120 yards, one touchdown, and one interception on 18-of-27 passing.
Philip Rivers went from retirement to battling one of the best teams in the league on the road to the very end 👏@insidetheNFL Week 15 Big Game Edit on X pic.twitter.com/Ngl3X9ftpP
— NFL (@NFL) December 16, 2025
Rivers will remain the starter, at least for one more week against the 49ers. So what will it take for him to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year? He has to lead the Colts to the playoffs. If Rivers can win down the stretch and drag Indianapolis into the postseason, voters will have to consider giving him the nod.
However, at 8-6, the Colts’ playoff hopes are bleak. They face the 49ers, Jaguars, and Texans in their final three games, three tough defenses that won’t let Rivers get comfortable. He should have a difficult time operating against those units.
Rivers was solid against the Seahawks, but the Colts need more from him if they’re going to clinch a playoff berth. It’s a great story, but I still don’t see him winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Best Comeback Player of the Year Sleepers
Sleeper picks are a great way to maximize your potential winnings from betting on CPOY betting lines. The board has shortened with only six players remaining in the hunt, so let’s find one longshot bet that still has a chance:
Comeback Player of the Year Prediction and Betting Pick
The NFL Comeback Player of the Year award is McCaffrey’s to lose right now. He would have to completely fall apart down the stretch not to remain the clear frontrunner.
For Rivers to steal the honor from McCaffrey, he’ll need to play lights out and lead the Colts into the playoffs.
That’s possible, but the Colts’ remaining schedule isn’t favorable. Rivers played well against the Seahawks, but I’m not confident he can sustain that level of play. Lawrence should probably have shorter odds than Rivers to win the award.
All things considered, at -240, McCaffrey is still a rock-solid price. I think he’s effectively already clinched the award, and his true NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds are closer to -500 or higher. I recommend backing McCaffrey as one of your best NFL Comeback Player of the Year betting picks!
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