https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/betting/article/2025-nfl-comeback-player-of-the-year-odds-3-nfl-awards-futures-bets-to-make-right-now-164224216.html
As the NFL regular season begins, award markets are already starting to take shape.
While plenty will change between now and January, bettors looking to get ahead of the curve can often find value in these early numbers. Here are three NFL futures wagers that stand out to me right now, including one for the new Protector of the Year award.
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Odds courtesy of BetMGM.
Comeback Player of the Year: WR Hunter Renfrow (Panthers, 100-1)
Few stories in football this season are more inspiring than Renfrow’s return. The former Clemson walk-on wideout carved out a productive career with the Las Vegas Raiders before illness sidelined him in 2024, forcing him out of the league and into a 9-to-5 job.
Now, Renfrow is back — signing with the Carolina Panthers and earning praise in camp for his energy and veteran presence. One coach even noted, “This is the Hunter Renfrow we all know.”
The Comeback Player of the Year award often rewards narrative as much as performance, and Renfrow has both working in his favor. Once listed as high as 200-1, he’s been bet down to 100-1, but still represents long-shot value for bettors who believe perseverence matters in this market. Shout out to the KiilKenny for being the first to the Hunter Renfrow party, but I will gladly hop on this one full steam ahead.
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Last week, Renfrow was cut from the Panthers and while other teams showed interested, a trade of Adam Thielen and an injury to Jalen Coker opened room for Renfrow to come back and make an immediate impact this season.
Coach of the Year: Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots (+750)
Coach of the Year is usually tied to surprise team success, and Vrabel’s Patriots check all the boxes. After a four-win season, New England found its quarterback of the future, retooled the roster and now sits at +160 to make the playoffs and a win total of 8.5 — a massive swing in expectations.
Vrabel holds the second-shortest odds at +750, just behind Bears coach Ben Johnson (+650). Both inherit second-year quarterbacks and low win totals from last season, but early signals favor Vrabel. The Bears have already flipped from Week 1 favorites to underdogs against Minnesota, while New England continues to attract playoff buzz.
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If the Patriots open with a win and the Bears stumble, Vrabel could become the favorite. At +750, this is a number worth grabbing early.
Protector of the Year: LT Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers (+700)
Even with Christian McCaffrey already showing up on the injury report and looking to make his comeback story, Trent Williams will have a spotlight ready for an award. Williams is an incredible talent, considered by many as the best lineman in football prior to his injury last season.
Now with the 49ers tied with the fourth-best odds (+900) to win the NFC, there is a sense of the betting market being low on the team overall. If McCaffrey produces, Brock Purdy slings for 4,000 yards (projected 3,800) and the Niners can push their season wins total over 10.5, this price will have a ton of value. I’m buying in on San Francisco in a bit more unorthodox strategy.
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Final thoughts
Awards markets are driven by more than just box scores — they’re shaped by storylines, surprises, and momentum. Renfrow offers a narrative bettor’s love, Vrabel represents the classic turnaround candidate and Williams could boost his RB and QB into great seasons. Locking in early numbers isn’t without risk, but it’s often where the best value hides. By the time the season kicks off, these prices could look very different.
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/betting/article/2025-nfl-comeback-player-of-the-year-odds-3-nfl-awards-futures-bets-to-make-right-now-164224216.html
