Patrick Mahomes, after tearing his ACL and LCL in Week 15 last season, has absolutely exploded out of the gate in 2026, putting him on a collision course for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. Bettors are already lining up, with DraftKings Sportsbook pinning Mahomes as a massive favorite at -270 odds as of September 28. Talk about a statement opening to the season, right?
The King Is Back and Balling Out
Remember last season, when Mahomes went down in that Week 15 game against the Chargers? He had surgery the very next day for those shredded ligaments, and honestly, a lot of us were wondering what 2026 would even look like for him. But fast-forward to today, and the dude is just playing on another level. Through only three weeks, he’s already racked up 812 passing yards and seven touchdowns. Those numbers are tied for fifth across the league, and seriously, this is just the beginning. And get this: his team in Kansas City is currently rocking a perfect 3-0 record. This isn’t just a comeback; it’s a full-blown takeover. If Christian McCaffrey’s 2025 season, where he put up 2,126 total yards and 10 rushing touchdowns after battling tendinitis and a knee issue, was the gold standard for a Comeback Player of the Year, Mahomes is certainly making a strong case to hit similar heights.
Legends Returning and New Faces Rising
While Mahomes is definitely running away with the early narrative, there are some other huge names in the mix for the comeback hardware. Aaron Donald, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, decided he wasn’t done yet, coming out of retirement to rejoin his former team. He actually missed the Rams’ Week 1 game in Australia, a 27-7 loss to the 49ers, but his presence is already massive, especially after Myles Garrett, another two-time DPOY, was announced to miss several weeks with a knee injury. Donald’s return from retirement is a story you just can’t ignore, priced at +1800 odds. Other players like Kyler Murray (+1500) are also in the conversation, ready to prove they’re back to elite form. Then you’ve got Michael Penix Jr. at +1800 and George Kittle at +2000, bringing some serious talent to the board. Fred Warner, Deshaun Watson, and Brock Bowers are all sitting at +2500, with Daniel Jones and Cam Skattebo at +2800, and Micah Parsons and Malik Nabers closing out the list at +3000. It’s a loaded field, no doubt.
The season is still super young, but the stakes for these guys are already sky-high. Can Mahomes maintain this insane pace and not just win the Comeback Player of the Year, but maybe even push for more? Will Donald’s return change the landscape for the Rams’ defense? Every game matters right now, and we’re all here for the ride.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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