Top NFL Comeback Player of the Year candidates

The NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award is generally reserved for a player returning from a serious injury. Last year, however, it went to Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who revived his career while coming a step away from the Super Bowl.

This year, the award will likely go to one of these stars:

Ben Roethlisberger

The Pittsburgh Steelers are favorites among pundits to return to the postseason in 2020 after two surprising years of missing out, and Big Ben's comeback from injury is fueling that optimism.

Roethlisberger played in just two games last season before being shelved with an elbow injury. The veteran recently revealed he tore three elbow tendons off the bone. He's now been healing for nearly a year, and Roethlisberger should be feeling even better with no OTAs or preseason prior to this campaign.

Before the injury, Roethlisberger threw for a career-high 5,129 yards in 2018. Though he's now 38 years old and likely nearing retirement, if Roethlisberger even comes close to playing like the 2018 version of himself, he'll be the favorite to claim the Comeback Player of the Year award.

Cam Newton

Newton, another returning QB, also appeared in just two 2019 games before succumbing to a foot injury. Now he's coming back with a massive chip on his shoulder after the only pro team Newton has ever known discarded him, and Bill Belichick picked the passer up off the scrap heap.

The Patriots aren't exactly dripping with offensive talent. But if a healthy Newton can approach his 2015 MVP form, New England's AFC East dominance may not be over, and the quarterback's award-winning days may not be either.

Rob Gronkowski

The narrative plays a large role in the Comeback Player of the Year award, and there are few better storylines than Gronk's return from a one-year hiatus.

Gronkowski was beaten down physically and mentally when he retired after winning Super Bowl LIII with the Patriots. Following a year to heal, the four-time All-Pro is fresher than ever, and his reunion with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay will reinvigorate the tight end.

Gronk isn't the Buccaneers' only offensive threat, so defenses won't be able to regularly double-team him. A healthy, happy, and single-covered Gronk could result in him putting a second comeback trophy on his mantle.

A.J. Green

Green hasn't played in a game since Dec. 2, 2018, making it easy to forget how consistently dominant he was prior to his injury problems. Despite his recent run of bad injury luck, the Cincinnati Bengals' star receiver said he wants to play four more years.

He'll be the leading option for No. 1 pick Joe Burrow, and it's rare to see a top pick partnered with an offensive talent like Green. If the two make magic together, Green will be an easy selection for Comeback Player of the Year.

Alex Smith

Smith even recovering from his gruesome leg injury and returning to an NFL practice field is nothing short of miraculous. If the veteran takes snaps at quarterback sometime this season for Washington (or any franchise), he'll be the sentimental favorite for Comeback Player of the Year.

Despite suffering a broken leg and an infection that almost led to an amputation, the 36-year-old is adamant about resuming his playing career. As Joe Theismann said, Smith already deserves the award for his perseverance.

J.J. Watt

Watt's comeback began when he rejoined the Houston Texans for their 2019 playoff run after missing eight games with a pectoral injury. He's sat out for large chunks during three of the last four seasons with injuries, yet Watt isn't far removed from recording 16 sacks when healthy in 2018.

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year averaged 19.5 sacks in those award-winning seasons. Watt shouldn't struggle to garner votes for this award if he even sniffs those gaudy totals.

Matthew Stafford

Stafford got through the first half of last season just fine, but he missed the second with fractures in his back. If the Detroit Lions quarterback fully recovers and steers the snakebitten franchise toward the playoffs, he would be an easy pick.

David Johnson

Three years removed from a 1,239-yard, 16-touchdown season, Johnson has been all but written-off. He'll get a change of scenery with the Texans after being included in the DeAndre Hopkins trade, but Johnson isn't even promised the starting running back job.

He'll be hard-pressed to rediscover his 2016 form. However, joining a Deshaun Watson-led offense and running behind Laremy Tunsil and Co. could be what Johnson needs to reignite a once-promising career.

Trent Williams

Following an ugly divorce from the Washington franchise, Williams is ready to protect Jimmy Garoppolo's blindside for the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers. Williams' spat with his former club involved the discovery of a cancerous lump on his head that he says team doctors didn't take seriously six years ago. He ended up losing 30% of his scalp and missing the 2019 season while seeking a trade.

Now that his wish has been granted, Williams will try to pick up where he left off and remain one of the league's consensus top left tackles.