Who will be the Comeback Player of the Year in 2020?

Coming back from injury in any sport is tough. Doing it in the NFL, to a standard of note, is perhaps as tough as it gets. The NFL is a rough and physical sport that takes its toll on the body. Therefore, we generally see players at the less physical positions take home this award, with eight quarterbacks winning in the last 12 years. With a number of intriguing names returning from injury in 2020, this could be a hotly contested year. Who do our analyst see winning the Comeback Player of the Year award in 2020?

Our Analyst's Picks

Alex Chinery (Head of Analytics): Alex Smith, QB, Washington Football Team

If Alex Smith is activated to the roster or practice squad, he deserves this award. End of discussion.

comeback player of the year 2020
Image credit: New England Patriots

Ben Rolfe (Head of NFL Content): Cam Newton, QB, New England Patriots

Most likely this award is going in the direction of Alex Smith regardless of performances on the field. However, this is perhaps a year where we have an “official” and “unofficial” winner. Therefore, I am going to focus on who I think wins the award on the field in tghe regular season. After years of Tom Brady under center and Cam Newton having looked a shell of himself the last two years, if Newton can make the Patriots compeititve this is his award.

To hear more thoughts from Alex and Ben about what they expect in the 2020 NFL season check out the Seven Step Drop Podcast. Available on all major podcast platforms.

Callum Squires (NFL Analyst): Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

After being absent pretty much all last year, Ben Roethlisberger is poised to vault back into the upper echelon of QBs in the league. The Steelers will quietly be in the hunt for a playoff spot (probably between them and the Browns for the 6/7 seed) and Roethlisberger will carry this offense. He was superb two years ago, he should be rested and recovered.

Honourable Mention: Cam Newton will have a great year in New England.

Michael Norbury (NFL Betting Analyst): Alex Smith, QB, Washington Football Team

I don’t even think Alex Smith has to take a snap to win this. The fact he’s even in the argument in Washington is remarkable.

Paul Mainwaring (NFL Analyst): Alex Smith, QB, Washington Football Team

Alex Smith will play multiple games this season and regardless of performance, is a nailed on comeback award winner

Simon Carroll (Head of NFL Draft Content): Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions

Ooh there’s some big names on this list in 2020! Big Ben? Cam? Gronk? Not for me. Barring Alex Smith supplanting Dwayne Haskins and leading Washington to even a modicum of respectability (which, quite frankly, would be awesome), this award is Stafford’s to lose. The king of the fourth quarter comeback, Detroit simply have no chance without him. He might even save Matt Patricia his job.

Steve Moore (NFL Betting Analyst): Alex Smith, QB, Washington Football Team

If Alex Smith makes the Washington 53 at any point in 2020, he wins this award without ever taking the field.

Tom Scott (NFL and Fantasy Football Analyst): Alex Smith, QB, Washington Football Team

Even if he doesn’t take to the field, Alex Smith deserves the award for his heroic recovery from a horrific time on the treatment table.