The NFL Comeback Player of the Year honor is reserved for those professionals who have overcome incredible adversity to make meaningful returns onto the field. Now that the 2024 season is fully underway, numerous players are making very valid cases for the honor. A closer look at the top contenders and some compelling storylines defining each return is warranted.
NFL CPOY Trends
- Context from recent trends sets the scene for this year’s race:
- Dominating Quarterbacks: Quarterbacks have received the CPOY award in the last six seasons.
- Comeback from Injuries: Eight of the last ten winners missed at least five games due to injury in the prior season.
- Defensive Players: No player on Defense has won the award since Eric Berry in 2015.
Position Breakdown Since 1988:
- 17 quarterbacks
- 3 wide receivers
- 5 defensive players
- 1 running back
- 1 tight end
Kirk Cousins: The Captain Behind the Falcons’ Surge
During his 2023 season, Kirk Cousins went down with an Achilles injury that wiped him out for the entire season. He inked a four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons worth $180 million. For now, though, he has led that team to a 6-3 mark and rejuvenated their offense. Given how well Cousins has fought through most of his career, it would not be out of place to keep him in the running for CPOY, at least with the recent quarterback bias on the award.
Joe Burrow: Back to Business
Joe Burrow has indeed been the story of grit and determination. The 2021 CPOY struggled with injuries earlier in his career but returned to elite form in 2024 to lead the Cincinnati Bengals into great performances despite not being able to win close games. That ability to bounce back from adversity and raise his team a notch higher makes him a notable contender for a second CPOY title.
J.K. Dobbins: Bringing Juice to the Chargers Run Game
Recovered from a torn Achilles, J.K. Dobbins signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023. After having one of the more mercurial careers that the NFL has seen in regard to injury, he’s back this year with a chip on his shoulder. That strong return and the result he has provided for the Chargers offense sets him apart as one of the more intriguing candidates for the CPOY award. No running back has won the award since 2018, and Dobbins is positioned to break that drought.
Damar Hamlin: Relentless Story
Damar Hamlin’s return to the field following a near-fatal cardiac event has been nothing short of inspiring. The trend as of late seems to favor offense-heavy players for CPOY, and he goes against it as a defender. He would be bucking a long-running trend going back, as no defender has won since Eric Berry back in 2015. Hamlin’s fight and impact on the field definitely provide an important storyline as it relates to the award.
Aaron Rodgers: The Return of the Vet
Following a severe injury in 2023, Aaron Rodgers has pulled off one of the most astonishing returns with the New York Jets. With experience, leadership was highly needed and had been crucial in how the Jets have been pulling off performances this season. If Rodgers can get back to MVP-level performances, he will be in the mix for CPOY and add another accolade to his glittering career.
Previous NFL Comeback Player of the Year Winners
- 2023 Joe Flacco – Browns
- 2022 Geno Smith – Seahawks
- 2021 Joe Burrow – Bengals
- 2020 Alex Smith – Washington
- 2019 Ryan Tannheill – Titans
- 2018 Andrew Luck – Colts
- 2017 Keenan Allen – Chargers
- 2016 Jordy Nelson – Packers
- 2015 Eric Berry – Chiefs
- 2014 Rob Gronkowski – Patriots
Also Read: The Most Iconic NFL Rivalries: What Makes These Matchups Unforgettable Every Season
The 2024 NFL Comeback Player of the Year race is so interesting for these reasons. It has incredible stories of will and determination. Be it the quarterback leading his team to new levels, the running back overcoming injuries and now bulldozing on the field, or the defensive player who inspires with his return, the candidates represent what this award is all about. As the season unfolds, it will be exciting to see who can finish as the ultimate comeback story.
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