Mahomes Tops 10 NFL Comeback Player Contenders for 2026 as Quarterbacks Dominate Race
Updated
Updated · NFL.com · Aug 19
Mahomes Tops 10 NFL Comeback Player Contenders for 2026 as Quarterbacks Dominate Race
3 articles · Updated · NFL.com · Aug 19
Summary
Patrick Mahomes leads a top-10 2026 Comeback Player of the Year field after December ACL/LCL surgery and career-low 2025 marks of 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns and six wins.
Quarterbacks again shape the race: 17 of the last 25 winners were QBs, and Christian McCaffrey ended a seven-year quarterback streak only last season.
Daniel Jones, Jayden Daniels and Kyler Murray headline the next tier, each trying to rebound from major injuries or career setbacks while restoring playoff hopes for the Colts, Commanders and Vikings.
Non-quarterback candidates include Micah Parsons, Tank Dell and Fred Warner, with Parsons chasing a rare defensive win after an ACL tear and Warner seeking to become the first linebacker winner since 2005.
The list underscores how the 2026 season could hinge on recovery stories across the league, with several franchises' playoff outlooks tied directly to whether their stars regain past form.