It’s wild how the NFL—a league built on brutal hits and borderline superhuman feats—can turn into a theater of pure inspiration. Every year, the Comeback Player of the Year race reminds us that football isn’t just about who’s fastest or strongest. It’s about resilience, grit, and people refusing to let the game write their final chapter. In 2024, the race for this award is absolutely stacked, and honestly, it’s a shame there’s only one trophy to hand out.
5. Tim Patrick, WR, Detroit Lions
Tim Patrick’s story is the kind you can’t make up. He’s not just bouncing back from one devastating injury but two. The dude tore his ACL and his Achilles in consecutive years. For most players, that’s curtains. But Patrick? He’s out there catching passes in one of the league’s most exciting offenses. Sure, 379 receiving yards isn’t going to blow anyone’s socks off, but the guy’s defying medical odds just stepping onto the field. And let’s not forget, every one of those yards came from Jared Goff’s arm—a feat of resilience in itself.
4. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert’s 2023 season ended with him on IR, a cruel twist for a quarterback with sky-high potential. But instead of sulking or falling into the abyss, Herbert returned in 2024 looking like a man possessed. He’s completing 65% of his passes and has thrown 21 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions. Oh, and did I mention the Chargers are playoff-bound? He’s not just playing; he’s winning. And for a team as cursed as the Chargers, that’s nothing short of miraculous.
3. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
It’s been a rough few years for J.K. Dobbins. Torn ACL, torn Achilles—the guy’s been through more than most NFL players ever will. But in 2024, he’s not just healthy; he’s thriving. Dobbins has racked up 842 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns on a robust 4.8 yards per carry. For a team that’s leaned heavily on the run under head coach Jim Harbaugh, Dobbins has been a linchpin. And at 26, he’s showing us all that sometimes, it’s not over when it looks over.
2. Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Okay, confession time: I did not have Sam Darnold on my 2024 bingo card. Who did? The guy was practically a trivia question after a rough stint with the Jets and some forgettable years in Carolina. But here we are. J.J. McCarthy’s injury opened the door, and Darnold didn’t just walk through it—he sprinted. With 4,153 passing yards and 35 touchdowns, he’s top five in both categories. The Vikings are surging, and Darnold’s redemption arc is the kind of thing that makes football so darn addictive.
1. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
No surprise here, right? Joe Burrow isn’t just the top candidate for Comeback Player of the Year; he’s on an entirely different plane. After a wrist injury wiped out his 2023 season, Burrow has come back to remind everyone why he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Leading the league in both passing yards (4,641) and passing touchdowns (41), he’s been nothing short of dominant. Oh, and his completion rate? Nearly 70%. There’s no debate here. If anyone else wins this award, we riot. (Just kidding… probably.)
So there you have it—five players who turned adversity into triumph. These guys didn’t just return to the field; they made us feel something. Football is better because of their stories. If this list doesn’t make you want to root for all of them, check your pulse.
PS: Who’s your pick? And no, you can’t say all of them—that’s cheating.
PPS: I’m still trying to wrap my head around Sam Darnold. Seriously, what timeline is this?