DraftKings Sportsbook posted its 2026 NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds on Oct. 23, and the board is headed by a familiar name: Patrick Mahomes at -250. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is a heavy favorite to take the award, but the more interesting movement sits just below him, where Malik Nabers has surged into second at +500.
Why Mahomes Is the Clear Favorite
Mahomes’ case starts with the severity of the injury he is returning from. He tore both his ACL and LCL in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers and underwent surgery the following day. That timeline alone would make him a natural candidate for a comeback award. His early play this season has reinforced the oddsmakers’ confidence. Through the Chiefs’ 5-0 start, Mahomes has thrown for 1,309 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions. Those numbers support the idea that he has returned to form quickly, and the team’s unbeaten record adds weight to his candidacy.
Nabers’ Rapid Rise
Nabers opened at +1500 but saw his odds shorten dramatically to +500 within a week, making him the most notable mover on the board. The New York Giants receiver has been productive this season, ranking fifth in the league with 41 receptions and seventh with 494 receiving yards. His Week 6 performance against the New Orleans Saints, a 165-yard outing in a loss, likely fueled the shift. At +500, Nabers is still a distant second to Mahomes, but the gap has closed considerably in a short time.
Donald’s Return Adds Intrigue
Aaron Donald is listed at +3000 after coming out of retirement to rejoin the Los Angeles Rams. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year missed the Rams’ Week 1 game in Australia, a 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. In four games since, he has recorded four solo tackles and five assisted tackles. The Rams’ need for Donald may have grown with Myles Garrett, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, set to miss more time due to a knee injury. That context makes Donald’s return more than a sentimental story, though his odds remain long.
The McCaffrey Precedent
The award follows Christian McCaffrey’s 2025 comeback. After missing eight games in 2024 with Achilles tendinitis and also dealing with a right knee issue, McCaffrey returned to total 2,126 yards, including 1,202 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, and won the honor. His season serves as a reminder of how quickly a player can go from injury-plagued to award winner, which is exactly the path Mahomes is trying to follow.
Full Odds Board
Below Mahomes and Nabers, the board lists Travis Hunter at +1200, followed by Michael Penix Jr. and Kyler Murray at +1500 each. Deshaun Watson sits at +1800, while Jayden Daniels, George Kittle, and Fred Warner are all at +2000. Aaron Donald and Brock Bowers round out the list at +3000. The odds reflect a clear hierarchy, but with a full season still ahead, the Comeback Player race remains open.
