As the month of June comes to a close, we only have one more month to get through before preseason NFL games start. It’ll be here before you know it. As we continue to prepare for the season and get futures bets placed, next up in the 2026 NFL best bets is Comeback Player of the Year.
Christian McCaffrey won the 2025 Comeback Player of the Year award. McCaffrey had a stellar year after an injury-plagued 2024 season. He just beat out the Lions’ Aiden Hutchison. In 2024, Joe Burrow snagged the award after an injury-riddled 2023 season. It was a bit shocking that Damar Hamlin didn’t win the 2024 award. Hamlin came in fourth in the voting.
Patrick Mahomes (+200)
This is a case where the chalk pick is a great bet. One of the greatest quarterbacks we’ve ever seen went down last season with a torn left ACL and LCL. We all know how good Mahomes is, and if he can bounce back and be half of what he is in a good season, it’s going to be hard for him not to win this award.
The Chiefs reworked his deal this offseason, signaling that his recovery is likely going just fine, as they tossed more guaranteed money in his direction. Even if Mahomes misses the first few games, which remains a possibility. The voters will be salivating at an opportunity to give Mahomes another award. At 2/1, it’s good odds for the likely winner of this award. Bet it and forget it. Also a good parlay piece with other future bets!
Aaron Donald (+1400)
This is a fun one right here. The Los Angeles Rams have gone all in on the 2026 season. Stafford is back, Adams is back, their offense is loaded, and their defense was already good. Then, they made the blockbuster trade to bring superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett to town. Could they be attractive enough of a Super Bowl-caliber team to entice Aaron Donald out of retirement?
If so, at 35, Donald has kept in exceptional shape and could wreak havoc along that line with Garrett. If he comes back and the Rams are as good as they look like they will be, it would be hard for them not to give the award to a retired guy coming off the couch and making an impressive comeback. Donald has always been that clean-cut media darling type, who scores him extra points with the voters. At 14/1, he’s worth a speculative bet.
TRENDING: Legendary Los Angeles #Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald’s intense gym workouts have gone viral across social media.
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Donald would be the best defensive lineman in the league if he returned today. pic.twitter.com/twbBG0jAO3
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) June 2, 2026
Malik Nabers (+2500)
As we perused down the odds board, I was looking for someone with super star potential that could steal this award from Patrick Mahomes. Enter into the conversation, Malik Nabers. The second-year New York Giant looked awfully impressive last season before he suffered an ACL tear of his own. Giants GM Joe Schoen said he thinks Nabers will be ready to return Week 1 of the season.
Under the new head coach, John Harbaugh, the longtime Baltimore Ravens coach. This New York Giants football team is poised to be a solid contender in 2026. If Nabers can return and be the weapon for Jaxson Dart that he proved he could be before the injury, that opens up the possibilities. Maybe Mahomes struggles in his return, and playing in the Big Apple with all the media attention could be a huge bonus.
Cam Skattebo (+3500)
Staying in the Big Apple and on the same football team, we turn our attention to his running back teammate, a player who also suffered a devastating injury as a rookie last year. Cam Skattebo showed shades of Christian McCaffrey and the ability to be flashy. Chalk up the same new coach/scheme, solid contender team, and New York vibes. Add in Skatebo’s goofy personality and fan-friendly vibes. If he can return with a vengeance, he can make himself be a part of the conversation for Comeback Player of the Year.
