The NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award has long been shrouded in ambiguity, with criteria that shift according to the personal stories emerging each season. This fluidity makes it challenging to compare candidates directly, often turning discussions into mismatched debates. As the 2025 season approaches, Dak Prescott stands as a leading contender for the Dak Prescott Comeback Player honor, reflecting both his personal challenges and potential impact on the field.
Recent Winners and Defining Moments in the Award’s History
In 2023, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin captured considerable attention after surviving cardiac arrest on the field the previous season and returning to active play. Despite limited statistical contributions, his emotional comeback made him the favorite among bettors until veteran quarterback Joe Flacco spearheaded a late-season playoff surge for the Cleveland Browns, ultimately winning the award with 151 votes to Hamlin’s 140.
The Associated Press later clarified the award’s definition for 2024, stating the recipient must have
“overcome illness, physical injury, or other circumstances that led him to miss playing time the previous season.”
This clearer criterion has allowed for more rational preseason betting but also highlights how the award often hinges on narratives surrounding season-ending setbacks.
Joe Burrow’s 2024 award win underscores this narrative-driven approach. Following wrist surgery that ended his 2023 campaign after 11 weeks, Burrow bounced back spectacularly, leading the NFL with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns. His performance set the standard as oddsmakers equate the Comeback Player of the Year with a special kind of MVP among recovering athletes.
Top Contenders for the 2025 Award: Hutchinson and Prescott
Among the front-runners for the 2025 award are Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Hutchinson began as the betting favorite at +260 odds after suffering a broken leg early in the 2024 season. Though the Lions faced defensive struggles without him, they still secured the top seed in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/nfc/”>NFC and reached the NFC Championship game, bolstering Hutchinson’s comeback story against the backdrop of a franchise chasing its first Super Bowl under coach Dan Campbell.
Dak Prescott opened the 2025 preseason with odds of +325, ranking just behind Hutchinson and 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. Prescott’s career has been marked by continuous adversity, from personal challenges and contract disagreements to two major season-ending injuries, including a partial hamstring avulsion that halted his 2024 season after just six games. As the franchise quarterback for the Cowboys—arguably “America’s Team”—he faces intense pressure to lead Dallas past the playoff threshold and into the fiercely competitive NFC East spotlight.
Award Trends Favoring Quarterbacks and Impact on Comeback Narratives
The Comeback Player of the Year award has increasingly become a quarterback’s domain, with a signal caller winning in each of the last seven seasons. This trend places additional emphasis on Prescott’s potential return to form, especially if he can guide the Cowboys back into the postseason. Should he stay healthy and deliver strong performances, the combined narrative of overcoming setbacks and maintaining leadership could position him as the natural frontrunner for the 2025 award.
Updated 2025 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Betting Odds
Below are the latest odds from betMGM for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2025, reflecting the market’s current view of likely candidates:
1. Aidan Hutchinson, Lions – +260
2. Dak Prescott, Cowboys – +325
3. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers – +400
4. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars – +500
5. J.J. McCarthy, Vikings – +800
6. Nick Chubb, Texans – +1300
7. Daniel Jones, Colts – +2000
8. Maxx Crosby, Raiders – +2000
9. Stefon Diggs, Patriots – +2500
10. Anthony Richardson, Colts – +2500
What the 2025 Season Could Mean for Prescott and the Award’s Legacy
The Dak Prescott Comeback Player storyline is filled with tension and hope, as his ability to overcome injuries and pressure will be closely watched amid a crowded and competitive NFC East. His performance could further cement the quarterback’s dominance in this award category and influence future perceptions of resilience and leadership in the NFL. As the season unfolds, Prescott’s health and Dallas’s playoff prospects will shape both his legacy and the evolving narrative of comeback success in professional football.