Veteran quarterback Phillip Rivers was snubbed from the NFL Comeback Player of the Year voting, as the criteria has been released with a lean on players returning from injury
09:45 ET, 22 Jan 2026Updated 10:32 ET, 22 Jan 2026
Phillip Rivers is not a contender for NFL Comeback Player of the Year(Image: Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Legendary quarterback Phillip Rivers wasn’t named as a finalist for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award, despite coming out of retirement aged 44 to play for the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts were the surprise package of the 2025 regular season, storming to an 8-1 record under newly-signed quarterback Daniel Jones. However, disaster struck when Jones suffered a torn Achilles tendon, and backup quarterback Anthony Richardson was also out injured.
Against all odds, Rivers came out of retirement to help his former organization, which he last played for in 2020 before ending his NFL career. While Rivers finished the year with a 0-3 record as a starter, and Indianapolis finished 8-9 despite a strong start, he was omitted from the list of finalists.
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Although Rivers didn’t lead the Colts to the playoffs, the context surrounding the story made for great excitement. However, the Associated Press has clarified the criteria for the Comeback Player of the Year Award, with a significant emphasis on overcoming injury or illness.
Voters have been told: “The spirit of the AP Comeback Player of the Year Award is to honor a player who has demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity by overcoming illness, physical injury, or other circumstances that led him to miss playing time the previous season.”
Still, fans reacted to the announcement of the five finalists on social media, campaigning for Rivers to receive acknowledgement. If Philip Rivers isn’t the @NFL comeback player of the year, then something is wrong,” one wrote on X.
Rivers came out of retirement after a five-year break to help Indianapolis(Image: 2020 Getty Images)
“Can we vote to have Philip Rivers be comeback player of the year? Is he even eligible?” Another asked. One user campaigned for Rivers to win, claiming that his 0-3 record was irrelevant.
“I DON’T CARE that Philip Rivers went 0-3 in his return… 44 year old GRANDPA… Off the couch… Hadn’t taken a snap in FIVE YEARS… ZERO practice or preparation… Yet he DICED UP three playoff defenses!” They wrote.
While Rivers hasn’t been named as a finalist, the NFL has announced the five players in contention for the award. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has made the final shortlist, as has Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is one of the five finalists(Image: Getty)
Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in Week 9 of the 2024 season, and Lawrence had season-ending shoulder surgery. Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs were also nominated.
Hutchinson suffered a significant season-ending leg injury in October 2024, and Diggs tore his ACL in Week 8 last season. Diggs is the only finalist still participating this season, and caught a touchdown during the NFL Playoff win over the Houston Texans.
Diggs managed to reach 1,000 receiving yards this year and also scored four regular-season touchdowns. However, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is the final finalist and the frontrunner to win the award.
McCaffrey played in just four games last season after suffering calf, Achilles, and knee injuries. After returning this year, he’s rushed for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also hauling in 924 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
