Power Ranking the NFL's Top 2026 Comeback Candidates as Patrick Mahomes Returns to Field

The 2025 NFL season will likely be remembered for the surprising ascension of the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. However, it may also be remembered as the year when the Kansas City Chiefs' AFC dominance ended.

Due, in part, to Patrick Mahomes' torn ACL, the Chiefs had their streak of 10 straight playoff appearances—and seven AFC title game appearances—snapped.

The Chiefs will have the chance to get back in the Super Bowl conversation in 2026, but they'll need a healthy Mahomes to do it. Fortunately, the two-time MVP appears to be on the mend and was on the field for organized team activities (OTAs) this week.

Given Mahomes' profile and Kansas City's history of contention, he should be an early favorite for the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year. However, he certainly isn't the only viable candidate in what should be an exciting race.

Here, we'll power rank the top 10 comeback candidates based on factors like past production, player upside, positional value, team trajectory, and any relevant player-specific storylines.

10. Nick Bosa, Edge, San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman

Two offseasons ago, the Associated Press clarified that its Comeback Player of the Year (CPOY) award was meant to recognize injury or other adversity that prevented a player from playing:

"The spirit of the AP Comeback Player of the Year Award is to honor a player who has demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity by overcoming illness, physical injury or other circumstances that led him to miss playing time the previous season."

San Francisco 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa missed all but three games in 2025 with a torn ACL, which certainly qualifies him for the award. He's also a former Defensive Player of the Year (2022), and plays a premium position for a likely playoff contender.

However, Bosa hasn't been among the most productive players at his position over the past couple of seasons—he averaged less than 10 sacks in 2023 and 2024. It's also worth noting that Bosa returned from a torn ACL to record 15.5 sacks in 2021 and still wasn't able to win the CPOY award.

9. Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft is also recovering from a torn ACL, though head coach Matt LaFleur is hopeful that he'll be back by training camp.

"Hopefully he'll be ready to go by training camp or early in training camp," LaFleur said, per The Athletic's Matt Schneidman.

Kraft was having a stellar season before the injury. He had 32 catches for 489 yards and six touchdowns through eight games, putting him on pace for a 68-catch, 1,039-yard, 13-touchdown campaign. This would have ranked first among tight ends in touchdowns and second in receiving yards, behind only Trey McBride (1,239 yards).

If McBride can return to 100 percent, resume his role as Jordan Love's top target, and produce league-leading numbers, he'll have a shot at being named the CPOY. However, he's a bit of a long shot, as he's not even the most notable candidate on his own team.

8. Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/Kin Cheung

Voters care about storylines, which is probably why Joe Flacco was named CPOY in 2023 for simply coming off the couch and leading the Cleveland Browns to a playoff berth. Should Jacksonville Jaguars corner and receiver Travis Hunter finally play up to predraft expectations, it'll be a great storyline.

The Jaguars traded up to take Hunter at No. 2 overall last April, and they expected him to be a key two-way contributor as a rookie. However, Hunter was largely average as both a receiver and a cornerback before suffering a season-ending torn LCL.

Back in April, Jaguars GM James Gladstone revealed that Hunter was expected to recover in time to be a full participant in training camp. In May, Gladstone told the Rich Eisen Show (h/t NFL.com's Nick Shook) that Hunter will still play both ways but could see an "uptick" in corner usage.

If Hunter returns from injury to become a legitimate star at cornerback—or a quality starter at two positions—he'll gain momentum as a CPOY candidate.

7. Fred Warner, LB, San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh

49ers linebacker Fred Warner is an even stronger CPOY candidate than Bosa. The four-time first-team All-Pro is the heart and soul of San Francisco's defense, and he's also arguably the best player at his position in the league.

There simply isn't much that Warner, who earned three straight first-team All-Pro nods before last year's injury, doesn't do at a high level.

The 29-year-old off-ball 'backer suffered a gruesome right ankle fracture and dislocation on October 12. Warner attacked his recovery and was eyeing a potential return in the NFC Championship Game, had the 49ers gotten that far.

In a recent piece by Matt Barrows of The Athletic, Warner revealed that he began swimming seriously for the first time as part of his rehab process. We can reasonably expect that to be a prominent pregame story at least once during the 2026 season—and, as previously noted, stories matter.

If Warner returns to being an All-Pro linebacker in 2026, he'll be a strong CPOY contender anyway.

6. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants

AP Photo/Matt Patterson

New York Giants wideout Malik Nabers was on his way to being a perennial Pro Bowler when a torn ACL ended his 2025 season. The former LSU star racked up 109 catches for 1,204 yards as a rookie, and he had 271 yards and two touchdowns through four games when his 2025 campaign was derailed.

With second-year star Jaxson Dart finally providing some stability at quarterback, there's a very real chance that Nabers will pick up where he left off once healthy. If so, and if he helps new head coach John Harbaugh deliver a return to the playoffs, he'll have a great shot at CPOY.

However, there's no guarantee that Nabers will be available early or will jump right into preinjury form.

"Just impossible to predict," Harbaugh said, per ESPN's Jordan Raanan. "I mean, the goal is to start the season and get out there sometime in training camp. That'd be the goal, and we'll see what happens."

5. Daniel Jones, QB, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Daniel Jones was one of the NFL's best storylines in 2025 before his season was ended prematurely by a torn Achilles. The former Giants draft bust looked like one of the league's elite (100.2 QB rating) while leading the Indianapolis Colts to an 8-2 record.

However, Jones tried playing on a partially fractured fibula, saw his play decline, and then suffered the season-ending injury.

The good news is that Jones is recovering well and was able to participate in individual drills at early OTAs. He told reporters that he "absolutely" expects to be ready to start by Week 1.

When at his best, Jones is an exciting dual-threat quarterback, and the thrill-factor won't go unnoticed. If Jones can play up to his ceiling while snapping the Colts' five-year playoff drought, he'll be an easy CPOY finalist.

4. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

AP Photo/David Dermer

Oft-injured Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had another campaign derailed in 2025. Though he did return to start the final six games of the season, he was limited to eight total starts by a significant turf toe injury.

The Bengals went 5-3 in games that Burrow started and just 1-8 in games he didn't.

Assuming Burrow can stay healthy in 2026, he should have Cincinnati back on a playoff trajectory. He's always one of the league's most prolific passers because he has Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at his disposal. The Bengals finally put some effort into building their defense this offseason, too, adding the likes of Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, and Bryan Cook.

As a two-time Comeback Player of the Year, Burrow has a track record of returning from injury to perform at an elite level. Of course, that may be viewed as a negative in the eyes of voters seeking a fresh story for 2026.

3. Micah Parsons, Edge, Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Melissa Tamez

Packers pass-rusher Micah Parsons suffered a torn ACL in December that caused him to miss the last three games of the regular season and the playoffs. It could also jeopardize the start of his 2026 campaign.

LaFleur expects Parsons to begin training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list, according to Ryan Wood of USA Today.

If, however, Parsons doesn't miss significant time and plays up to his usual level, he should be this year's top defensive CPOY candidate.

Parsons was a Pro Bowler in all four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and was again a Pro Bowler in his first season with Green Bay. He also recorded 12.5 sacks, was a first-team All-Pro, and earned Defensive Player of the Year consideration despite missing the end of the season.

Expect Parsons to maintain a high profile with a Packers team that has made the playoffs in each of the past three seasons.

2. Kyler Murray, QB, Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Abbie Parr

Quarterback Kyler Murray isn't even guaranteed to be the Minnesota Vikings' starter in 2026. He'll have to beat out third-year man J.J. McCarthy this offseason in order to earn the gig. Yet, he still feels like the top challenger to Mahomes for CPOY honors.

For one, Murray will be surrounded by talented players like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. He'll also be in a quarterback-friendly offense under Kevin O'Connell.

Let's not forget that Sam Darnold posted a 102.5 QB rating and delivered 14 wins as Minnesota's starter in 2024.

Secondly, Murray has the potential to deliver one of the NFL's better storylines in 2026.

The first overall pick in the 2019 draft was the Offensive Rookie of the Year that season and was a two-time Pro Bowler early in his career. However, the dynamic dual-threat suffered a torn ACL in 2022, suffered a season-ending foot injury in 2025, and was released by the Arizona Cardinals early this offseason.

If Murray can follow in Darnold's footsteps—or simply return to his own Pro Bowl form—in Minnesota this season, he'll provide fans with a great redemption arc and voters with a strong CPOY case.

1. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo/Gareth Patterson

There's no guarantee Mahomes will win Comeback Player of the Year just by being healthy for most or all of the 2026 season.

Since winning his second league MVP in 2022, his passing numbers have steadily declined toward average. The Chiefs also have serious questions at wide receiver—especially with Rashee Rice recovering from knee surgery and unavailable for OTAs and minicamp while serving a 30-day jail term tied to a probation violation.

However, there is a good chance Mahomes will play for most, if not all, of 2026.

"He's way ahead of schedule," GM Brett Veach told SiriusXM Radio in early May (h/t NFL.com's Kevin Patra).

If Mahomes does play the majority of the season, and if he helps Kansas City return to the top of the AFC hierarchy, it's hard to envision another player passing him for CPOY.

Mahomes remains one of the league's most electric offensive playmakers when at his best, and he's facing real adversity for the first time in his career. The 30-year-old has never missed significant time with an injury and has never entered the regular season with Kansas City as an underdog.

Seeing one of the league's brightest stars overcome the biggest challenges of his pro career could easily become one of the defining storylines of 2026.