Sometimes, there are future bets that jump out to you that look like good value or even fun in some eyes, which is exactly what the sportsbooks want you to think and why those shiny casinos look bigger and bigger. One big example is the current NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds for New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers.
NFL Comeback Player of the Year Odds: Is Aaron Rodgers A Serious Candidate?
Rodgers continued to put himself in the news with a video of him throwing 50-yard passes ahead of Monday Night Football, with comments on various podcasts about his recovery and other rumors out there of his pending comeback.
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Naturally, the sportsbooks have noticed, with DraftKings pricing Rodgers’ NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds at +2500. Mind you, this is to come back in the same year that he got injured as opposed to the usual next-year award.
On the surface, if a player comes back from a “season-ending” injury during the same season, that does seem like a logical CPOY winner. And that’s exactly what the sportsbooks are hoping drives you to that bet. Make no mistake … Rodgers is likely ahead of schedule and could possibly pull off the impossible and make it back from a Week 1 Achilles tear before the end of the season. But is it worth a bet?
Before we look at the rest of the field, let’s look at A-a-ron. I’m not a doctor, nor am I going to pretend to be one, but if Rodgers does come back, what is he coming back to that can help him win the award? The Jets are 4-4 with two games vs. Miami and a date with Buffalo on deck in November, games that Rodgers has no chance to play in.
In all likelihood, the Jets will fall too far out of the playoff picture for Rodgers to make a difference, which is probably what he would need to do to win the award if he decided to risk it at all.
Who Are the Betting Favorites To Win NFL Comeback Player of the Year?
Now, looking at the field, and we discussed this in June, it is my belief that Damar Hamlin (currently -110) had this wrapped up before the season even started, provided he made it back on the field. He did play, although not much, less than a year after suffering cardiac arrest on the field. I am not sure how you vote for anyone else. But for the sake of this column, he doesn’t have it wrapped up. So, who else has odds more compelling than Rodgers?
- Tua Tagovailoa (+175) missed multiple games last season with concussions and is currently in the MVP race and has the Dolphins on top of the AFC East.
- Joshua Dobbs (+800) has come out of nowhere to lead not one but two different teams to wins this season and could have his new team, the Vikings, contending for the postseason.
- Breece Hall (+1000), one of Rodgers’ teammates, is on pace for 1,000 rushing yards one year after tearing his ACL.
- Lamar Jackson (+1000) is in the same boat as Tua after missing multiple games last year and is now firmly in the MVP race.
All of those players have already proven themselves to be worthy of the award through the first half of the season. Rodgers would have to get healthy, decide to come back, and make an impact on the Jets’ playoff chances, all for odds that should be in the neighborhood of 100-1 to make it worth taking a chance. There are much better ways to spend your money, and his odds should be a lot longer than 25-1.
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