2025-26 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Guide: Christian McCaffrey, Aidan Hutchinson Remain Top Contenders
Get the latest NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds, with Christian McCaffrey and Aidan Hutchinson leading the race in the early going. See which contenders are climbing or falling, the most popular bets, and a full guide to CPOY futures, including updated lines, key stats, and market trends shaping the award chase.
OC Staff - October 1, 2025, 2:30 AM EDT
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The Comeback Player of the Year race has quickly taken shape, with Christian McCaffrey dominating both on the field and in the odds. After opening among the top three contenders, the 49ers star has surged into the outright favorite slot at +160, fueled by over 550 scrimmage yards and a heavy workload in the passing game. With San Francisco’s wide receiver group banged up, McCaffrey has once again become the focal point of the offense, and bettors are backing him as the most consistent early performer.
Joining him near the top is Aidan Hutchinson, who continues to play at a defensive player of the year level for the Lions. The pass rusher has already piled up four sacks through four weeks, anchoring a Detroit defense that has kept the team firmly in the NFC North race. He entered the year as a co-favorite alongside Dak Prescott, and remains right in the mix at +250, a strong sign of sustained market confidence.
Dak Prescott has done his part to stay in the conversation as well. The Cowboys quarterback leads an offense that ranks first in the league in total yards per game and top five in scoring. Sitting at +400, Prescott’s ability to keep the Cowboys humming on offense has kept him in the award conversation from the start, a rarity in NFL futures markets where early favorites often slide out of the picture.
The most surprising riser, though, has been Daniel Jones. After beginning as a long shot at +2000, the Colts quarterback is now down to +500, firmly in the top four. Jones seized the starting role in an unexpected preseason twist and has helped Indianapolis to a strong opening month and a 3-1 start. His meteoric rise highlights how quickly the narrative can shift in this market, as he now sits shoulder to shoulder with some of the biggest names in the league.
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NFL Comeback Player of the Year Odds
Risers & Fallers: NFL Comeback Player of the Year Odds Movement
Since the preseason, the futures market has shifted significantly after the first month of the season. Here are the biggest risers and fallers on the NFL Comeback Player of the Year board (odds changes are week to week):
📈 Risers
- Christian McCaffrey (+300 → +160) McCaffrey has risen slightly from his opening odds to claim the favorite spot, thanks to his dominance in the 49ers’ offense and over 550 scrimmage yards through four weeks.
- Aidan Hutchinson (+275 → +250) Hutchinson continues to impress on defense for the Lions, maintaining a strong position as one of the top contenders with four sacks and a key role in Detroit’s defense.
- Daniel Jones (+2000 → +500) Jones has soared after taking over the Colts’ starting job, guiding Indianapolis to three early wins and quickly moving up the board as the market recognizes his unexpected impact.
📉 Fallers
- J.J. McCarthy (+1000 → +7500) McCarthy has slipped after a slow start, struggling against the falcons in a primetime game and missing two more games to injury after that.
- Nick Chubb (+1200 → +8000) Chubb has seen his stock drop as the Texans offense has struggled to produce at the expected level, dampening his Comeback Player chances in a confusing backfield with sporadic carries.
- Trevor Lawrence (+500 → +2200) Lawrence has also fallen despite the Jags starting at 3-1, with most of the production coming from the defense and rushing attack. Lawrence hasn't put up a ton of stats despite the wins.
Bettors Backed JJ McCarthy Heavy in Preseason
In the preseason, the public heavily targeted J.J. McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season with Minnesota. He drew the largest share of attention with 14.4% of the bets and 18.1% of the handle, as bettors expected a big rebound and a standout season.
Aidan Hutchinson was close behind in interest, but the split between tickets and money showed some hesitation. Hutchinson commanded 21.4% of the bets, yet only 17.8% of the handle, indicating that while many were backing him, they weren’t committing the largest stakes.
Rounding out the early favorites, Christian McCaffrey drew 9.1% of the bets and 13.8% of the money, as bettors anticipated his versatility and production to shine in San Francisco, especially with a banged-up wide receiver group. Those takers are feeling good so far in this market.
This early betting action highlighted how bettors were balancing upside potential with risk, favoring high-profile players coming off missed time or injury while cautiously targeting proven veterans.
Betting on NFL Futures: A Quick Guide
Futures bets are one of the most fun ways to get action down on the NFL. Instead of just betting on who wins this week, you’re wagering on something bigger that plays out over the whole season (or all the way to the Super Bowl).
Think of futures as long-term tickets; they give you a rooting interest that sticks. Every win, loss, injury, or breakout performance can move the odds, and if you locked in early, that value is yours to ride all season long.
The most popular NFL futures markets include:
- Super Bowl Winner (which team hoists the Lombardi in February)
- Conference & Division Champions
- Regular Season Win Totals (Over/Unders)
- Player Awards (MVP, Rookie of the Year, Comeback Player, etc.)
- Stat Leaders (Most Passing Yards, Rushing Yards, etc.)
- Player Milestones (e.g., Will a QB hit 40+ Passing TDs?)
Super Bowl MVP Odds
If you’re not diving into futures market until mid-season, the Super Bowl MVP is a great place to look instead of this Regular Season MVP market. These odds are not up at most books as they wait for the contenders to make themselves known. It’s basically a two-part bet: you’re picking the team you think will win it all and which star will carry them.
- Quarterbacks usually dominate (think Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson).
- Running backs and wide receivers can cash if they have monster games on the big stage.
- Occasionally, a defensive player or special teams star sneaks in — rare, but the payouts are huge.
This market heats up late into the season, so you can hedge or double down based on which teams look like true contenders.
Explore oddschecker's NFL Futures Markets
Here’s a breakdown of all the NFL futures you can bet on this season, with quick explanations for casual fans:
Popular NFL Outrights
Super Bowl Winner – Which team lifts the Lombardi.
Super Bowl Matchup – Pick the exact two teams that will face off.
Super Bowl Winning Conference – AFC vs. NFC.
Super Bowl Winning Division – Which division produces the Super Bowl champ.
AFC Champion / NFC Champion – Who represents each conference in the big game.
#1 Seed Markets - AFC #1 Seed / NFC #1 Seed – Which team earns home-field advantage through the playoffs.
Player Awards
- Offensive Rookie of the Year / Defensive Rookie of the Year – Bet on which rookie makes the biggest impact in their first season.
- Comeback Player of the Year – Awarded to a player who bounces back from injury or a tough year.
- Coach of the Year – Goes to the head coach who turns a team around or exceeds expectations.
- Offensive Player of the Year / Defensive Player of the Year – Recognizes the best all-around offensive or defensive star outside of the MVP race.
- Protector of the Year – Honors the league’s best offensive lineman.
- MVP – The big one: Most Valuable Player across the entire NFL Regular Season.
Season Leader Odds
- Most Passing Yards – Which QB airs it out the most.
- Most Passing TDs – Quarterback with the most touchdown throws.
- Most Receiving Yards – Wideout or tight end who racks up the biggest yardage total.
- Most Rushing Yards – Running back (or dual-threat QB) who dominates on the ground.
How To Bet On NFL Futures
NFL futures betting is simple once you know the basics. Instead of betting on one Sunday’s outcome, you’re putting money on a result that plays out over weeks or months. The most common example? Picking which team will win the Super Bowl.
Here’s a quick step-by-step for betting NFL futures:
- Choose a sportsbook and sign up. Click any offer within this article to get started with some extra bonus funds.
- Find the futures tab. Futures odds are usually posted right after the previous season ends, so markets are open year-round.
- Lock in your pick. Odds reflect the current perception of a team or player, so acting early can often give you the best value.
- Sit back and watch it unfold. Futures betting is a long-term play — you’re in it for the season, not just the weekend.
NFL Award Betting FAQs
What types of bets can I make on NFL Player Awards?
Beyond just picking who wins the Regular Season NFL MVP, you can bet on:
- Comeback Player of the Year
- Coach of the Year
- Offensive Player of the Year
- Defensive Player of the Year
- Super Bowl MVP
- Offensive Rookie of the Year
- Defensive Rookie of the Year
What exactly is a futures bet?
A futures bet is a wager on something that won’t be decided right away — like who wins the Super Bowl, or whether a QB hits 4,000 passing yards in a season. Odds shift throughout the year, so locking in early can sometimes give you a better price.
Where can I bet on Super Bowl 60?
You can legally bet on Super Bowl 60 in most U.S. states with regulated sportsbooks. Top options include BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel, DraftKings, Fanatics, and bet365. Each operator offers exclusive sign-up bonuses — check out our promo code page to maximize your value.
When is the best time to bet Super Bowl futures?
- Right after the previous Super Bowl — when odds first open and oddsmakers might undervalue rising teams.
- After the NFL Draft or big free-agent moves — when rosters take shape.
- Late preseason — when depth charts and injuries are clearer.
Can I cash out NFL futures early?
Yes, many sportsbooks now offer cash-out options, letting you secure profit (or cut losses) before the season ends if your team is in a good spot.
Why do Super Bowl odds change during the year?
Odds move based on betting action, injuries, roster moves, and performance. For example, if Josh Allen goes down in Week 2, the Bills’ odds would immediately lengthen.
What’s the difference between Super Bowl odds and playoff odds?
- Super Bowl Odds are outright — you’re betting on the champion.
- Playoff Odds are simpler — will a team make or miss the postseason?
Do I have to bet big money to win big?
Not at all. Futures bets often carry big payouts. A $25 bet on a +2000 underdog to win the Super Bowl would return $500 if it hits.
Can I bet on player stats all season long?
Yes. You can wager on passing yards, rushing touchdowns, receiving yards, and more. Books also post season milestones (ex: Will Mahomes throw 40+ TDs?) and weekly props once games kick off.
What’s the most popular Super Bowl prop?
Besides MVP, novelty props like the coin toss and Gatorade color dumped on the winning coach are staples every year.
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