In 2024, San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey suffered tendinitis in his Achilles and missed eight games due to that injury. He missed even more time dealing with a right knee problem and ended up being out for most of the year.
But in 2025, he returned with a vengeance.
Last season, CMC amassed 2,126 total yards – including 1,202 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. As a result, the dual-threat running back won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award.
Now, punters are wondering which player will take home the award at the end of the 2026 season.
Here are the early odds at the DraftKings Sportsbook as of September 15th.
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Patrick Mahomes: +100 (bet $10 to win $20 total)
Aaron Donald: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)
Jayden Daniels: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Malik Nabers: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Kyler Murray: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Fred Warner: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Daniel Jones: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Cam Tax House: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Micah Parsons: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
George Kittle: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Travis Hunter: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Here’s what you need to know about this chart:
Favorite: Last season, Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL in the Chiefs’ Week 15 game against the Chargers. He underwent surgery the next day, and on pace for the season, and he already started in Kansas City’s Week 1 win over the rival Broncos. Talk about a quick comeback. In that win, Mahomes had 184 passing yards, two passing scores, a rushing score and a touchdown.
Will Patrick Mahomes make his apparent comeback in 2026? (Getty Images)
Aaron’s Return: Although he missed the Rams’ Week 1 game in Australia — a 27-7 loss to the 49ers — Aaron Donald has come out of retirement to join his former team. Donald is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner and his presence will be much needed after it was announced that two-time DPOY winner Myles Garrett will miss several weeks with a knee injury.