The Comeback Player of the year award in the NFL is a feel-good story. Which three players have the best chance to win the CPoY award in 2023? This past season, Geno Smith won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.
His surprise 2022 campaign helped propel Seattle to one of the most efficient offenses in the NFL and a playoff berth. Now in 2023, the Seahawks hope to field a stronger defense, as that was their massive weak point in 2022.
Who could we look at to win the award for the 2023 season? I think there are three obvious candidates to come away with this award next year.
Three candidates to win CPoY in the 2023 NFL season?
Damar Hamlin
Damar Hamlin’s scary on-field injury is something we all hope we never have to witness again. He’s been cleared to resume football activities and I really don’t see a reason why he can’t return to full strength on the field.
Hamlin is a solid backup player with some spot starting potential. I think even if he steps on a football field during the regular season, he’ll win the award.
Russell Wilson
I feel like if there’s one player we shouldn’t count out in the NFL, it’s Russell Wilson. The vet QB was traded to the Denver Broncos before the 2022 season and endured the worst season of his career.
With Sean Payton and a stronger roster now in the mix, I don’t see how Wilson doesn’t bounce back. Payton is going to implement an offense that play’s to Wilson’s strengths. After all, success in the NFL is mostly based on how good your QB is.
Wilson should be a top candidate to win the CPoY award in 2023. Expect the Broncos to be a run-first team with the potential to capitalize on play-action passing, the same type of offense Wilson played in as a Seahawk.
Matthew Stafford
In Matthew Stafford’s first season as a Los Angeles Ram, he threw 41 touchdowns an won the Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals. Injuries plagued his 2022 campaign and the Super Bowl hangover was real for the Rams.
The Rams did part with some veteran players at the end of the season and I think they’re hoping to hit the reset button. If they can stay healthy, the excellence of Sean McVay is going to figure their situation out.