Now, you were probably expecting me to just tell you right away who my front runner is, however that is not the case. I will be going over my top 5 guys for the CPOY award (in no particular order), and then end the article with whom should win out of these players.
Quarterback: Cam Newton (NE)
2019: 2 games played (Left pedal Lisfranc sprain)
2020 stats:
- Passing: 10 games, 178 comp, 66.9% comp %, 1984 YDS, 4 TD, 9 INT, 5-5 rec.
- Rushing: 10 games, 92 CAR, 387 YDS, 9 TD
I expected a lot more from Cam Newton at the halfway mark this season, I mean just look at his passing stats... they are awful to say the least. Cam Newton may have the rushing stats in his favor, but as far as being a quarterback he has done a poor job of it. The win two weeks ago Sunday night versus the Ravens was huge for both the Patriots and Cam Newton, as well as the most recent victory over the Arizona Cardinals. It is just a matter of if they can keep winning games and can they manage to sneak into the playoffs. Finishing the season with a winning record and sneaking into the playoffs would give Cam Newton a very strong case to win the comeback player of the year award.
Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger (PIT)
2019: 2 games played (Right arm elbow tear)
2020 stats: 10 games, 255 comp, 67.1% comp %, 2534 YDS, 24 TD, 5 INT, 10-0 rec.
What a season it has been for Big Ben and these Pittsburgh Steelers so far, 10-0 for the first time in franchise history! I think it is very safe to say that Ben has been a big contribution to this team winning football games, without him I do not think the Steelers are undefeated right now, no matter how good this defense is. After the injury Ben suffered last season the Steelers season went completely downhill, now with Big Ben back the Steelers have become the biggest threat to the Kansas City Chiefs repeating as Super Bowl champs. Big Ben made it his mission that he would bounce back huge this season, and so far I think he has kept his word. With the Steelers being 10-0 and their only real tough matchups left being the Ravens, Bills, and Colts, we could very well see this Steelers team grab the 1st seed in the AFC and make a run for a Lombardi trophy. Big Ben is the backbone to this team, not just offensively but as a whole. Ben is a true leader that has been the reason behind the Steelers success for so many years now. If it were up to me I would have Big Ben as number 1 for comeback player of the year.
Tight End: Rob Gronkowski (TB)
2019: Retirement
2020 stats: 12 games, 37 REC, 505 YDS, 4 TD, 59.7% catch %
In 2019 Gronk was not injured, or suspended he was just living his best life in retirement and decided to comeback to football after finding out his best friend Tom Brady was going to Tampa Bay. He has been picking things up as the season has progressed, you could tell at the beginning of the season he has some real rust on him, he was not the same Gronk. Obviously now we are still not seeing the Gronk we are used to seeing but that is mostly due to the fact the Buccaneers run a much different offense than the Patriots did. Gronk has potential to win comeback player of the year but he really needs to step things up in this second half of the season if he wants a legitimate chance at this award.
Defensive End: Aldon Smith(DAL)
2019: Missed Season (Suspension)
2020 stats: 11 games, 5 sacks, 44 tackles, 11 QB hits, 5 TFL, 2 PD
I am going to be totally honest with all of you, I did not know this guy was even in the NFL anymore, after being suspended for 3 consecutive seasons I figured this guy was going to call things quits. Well was I wrong, Aldon Smith is back and he is playing fairly well, definitely looks a little rusty but he does not have that look like he has missed 3 seasons. For how awful the Cowboys defense is this season he has been one guy I noticed trying to make a play on every down he gets the chance. After missing three seasons of his career Aldon Smith has a lot to prove and despite being on an awful team and having a bad reputation he is going to have his name heard by people around the NFL.
Quarterback: Alex Smith (WSH)
2019: Missed Season (Leg Tibia Fracture)
2020 stats: 5 games, 107 comp, 69.0% comp %, 1067 YDS, 3 TD, 5 INT, 2-1 rec.
Obviously this guy is going to be in the discussion for comeback player of the year, to not play at all in 2019, and then comeback this season and play a snap is incredible. He may not be on the best team or in the best situation but still the story alone for Alex Smith is deserving of the best comeback maybe in NFL history. If Alex Smith can stay healthy and maintain the starting job for Washington I see him legitimately giving competition to any of these other guys just based alone on the story. The NFL loves a player with an amazing backstory, so do not let it surprise you/shock you if Alex Smith ends up winning this award at the end of the season.
Now it is time to tell you who I think will win the comeback player of the year award. After doing research and comparing where all these players are ranked amongst their position I made the decision to go with... Ben Roethlisberger as my winner of the 2020 offensive player of the year award. Obviously this is just my prediction for our half way mark in the 2020-2021 NFL season, but if Big Ben keeps playing the way he has been I see him for sure running away with this award. I think his closest competition to this award is Rob Gronkowski, but as well I think Alex Smith could make a sneaky run for this award. I will write another article after week 17 giving my final predictions for who I think will take home the CPOY award.