AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year
The Associated Press first recognized an NFL comeback player of the year from 1963 to 1966. Jim Martin won the award in 1963 as a kicker for Baltimore. Lenny Moore took the honor in 1964 while playing running back for the same team. John Brodie received it in 1965 as a quarterback for San Francisco. Dick Bass claimed the title in 1966 as a running back for the Los Angeles Rams. These early winners are typically not included in overall lists of winners today. The AP did not give the award again until the 1998 season. A thirty-two-year gap separated the initial run from its revival.
A nationwide panel of media personnel selects the winner each year. The criteria remain imprecise but focus on overcoming adversity. Players often return after missing the previous season entirely due to injury or illness. Some recipients played well despite poor performance the prior year. Doug Flutie won the award in 1998 as a quarterback for Buffalo. Bryant Young earned it in 1999 as a defensive tackle for San Francisco. Joe Johnson took the honor in 2000 as a defensive end for New Orleans. Garrison Hearst was named the winner in 2001 as a running back for San Francisco. Tommy Maddox received it in 2002 as a quarterback for Pittsburgh. Jon Kitna won in 2003 as a quarterback for Cincinnati. Drew Brees claimed the award in 2004 as a quarterback for San Diego. Tedy Bruschi took the title in 2005 as a linebacker for New England. Steve Smith Sr. won in 2006 as a wide receiver for Carolina. Chad Pennington received it again in 2007 as a quarterback for Miami. Tom Brady was named the winner in 2008 as a quarterback for New England. Michael Vick took the award in 2009 as a quarterback for Philadelphia. Matthew Stafford won in 2010 as a quarterback for Detroit. Peyton Manning claimed the title in 2011 as a quarterback for Denver. Philip Rivers earned it in 2012 as a quarterback for San Diego. Rob Gronkowski took the award in 2013 as a tight end for New England. Eric Berry won in 2014 as a safety for Kansas City. Jordy Nelson claimed the title in 2015 as a wide receiver for Green Bay. Keenan Allen earned it in 2016 as a wide receiver for Los Angeles Chargers. Andrew Luck took the award in 2017 as a quarterback for Indianapolis. Ryan Tannehill won in 2018 as a quarterback for Tennessee. Alex Smith claimed the title in 2019 as a quarterback for Washington. Joe Burrow earned it in 2020 as a quarterback for Cincinnati. Geno Smith took the award in 2021 as a quarterback for Seattle. Joe Flacco won in 2022 as a quarterback for Cleveland. Joe Burrow claimed the title again in 2023 as a quarterback for Cincinnati.
Since 2011, the award has been presented at the NFL Honors ceremony. This event takes place in the days leading up to the Super Bowl. Before this shift, winners were announced without a dedicated stage or audience. The change brought greater visibility to recipients like Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers. Rob Gronkowski received his award during the 2013 ceremony. Eric Berry was honored at the 2014 event. Jordy Nelson took the stage in 2015. Keenan Allen accepted the trophy in 2016. Andrew Luck was recognized in 2017. Ryan Tannehill received his award in 2018. Alex Smith was honored in 2019. Joe Burrow appeared on stage in 2020. Geno Smith took the award in 2021. Joe Flacco was recognized in 2022. Joe Burrow returned to accept his second win in 2023. The ceremony now serves as the primary platform for celebrating these achievements.
Only two players have received the award more than once since the AFL, NFL merger. Chad Pennington won in 2006 and 2008 as a member of the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins respectively. He became the first quarterback to achieve this feat twice. Joe Burrow claimed the title in 2021 and 2024 while playing for Cincinnati. Both men are active or recently retired quarterbacks who overcame significant setbacks. Pennington's wins came during stints with different franchises. Burrow's victories spanned four years apart. No other player has matched their consistency in overcoming adversity. Their names stand alone at the top of the list. Hall of Fame induction remains unattained by either recipient so far.
Beginning with the 2024 season, the criteria changed significantly. The new rules emphasize players coming back from illness, physical injury, or other circumstances that led him to miss playing time the previous season. This shift moved focus away from resurgent performances or comparisons to prior poor play. Critics had previously described some winners as returning from sucking rather than true recovery. Joe Burrow became the latest recipient under these updated standards. His win in 2024 reflected the revised priorities. The change aimed to honor genuine physical comebacks over statistical rebounds. Media personnel now weigh missed seasons more heavily than performance metrics. The rule adjustment marked a clear departure from earlier interpretations of the award.
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Common questions
Who won the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 1963?
Jim Martin won the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 1963 as a kicker for Baltimore. He was the first recipient recognized by the Associated Press during the initial run from 1963 to 1966.
When did the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award resume after its hiatus?
The AP did not give the award again until the 1998 season following a thirty-two-year gap that separated the initial run from its revival. Doug Flutie won the award in 1998 as a quarterback for Buffalo to restart the modern era of winners.
Which players have received the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award more than once since the merger?
Chad Pennington and Joe Burrow are the only two players who have received the award more than once since the AFL, NFL merger. Chad Pennington won in 2006 and 2008 while Joe Burrow claimed the title in 2021 and 2024.
Where is the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award presented each year since 2011?
Since 2011, the award has been presented at the NFL Honors ceremony which takes place in the days leading up to the Super Bowl. This event provides a dedicated stage and audience for recipients like Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers compared to previous announcements without a platform.
What criteria changed for the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award beginning with the 2024 season?
Beginning with the 2024 season, the new rules emphasize players coming back from illness, physical injury, or other circumstances that led him to miss playing time the previous season. Media personnel now weigh missed seasons more heavily than performance metrics under these updated standards.