At the time he broke his leg in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was the betting favorite for Defensive Player of the Year for the 2024 season. The pace he was on (7.5 sacks in basically four-and-a-half games) would have re-set the NFL single-season sack record by a comfortable, not easily passed anytime soon margin (at least until there's 20 regular season games).
Assuming he's back to full strength for Week 1 next season, and every indication thus far says he easily will be, Hutchinson will easily go right back to toward the top of the favorites to win Defensive Player of the Year. The odds at DraftKings Sportsbook late last week had him as the early favorite for 2025 Defensive Player of the Year (+700).
The latest Defensive Player of the Year odds this week over at DraftKings have changed a bit, but Hutchinson is still at the top.
Aidan Hutchinson: +650
T.J. Watt: +700
Myles Garrett: +700
Micah Parsons: +700
Aidan Hutchinson is the early favorite for another big award
Having what was lined up to an epic season shortened by a major injury lines Hutchinson to be a candidate for 2025 Comeback Player of the Year as well. With that in mind, DraftKings Sportsbook has him as the early favorite for that award too.
2025 Comeback Player of the Year odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook)
Aidan Hutchinson: +200
Christian McCaffrey: +300
Dak Prescott: +350
Trevor Lawrence: +400
J.J. McCarthy: +750
The oddsmakers certainly expect Hutchinson to recover from his broken left fibula and tibia, stay healthy and not miss a beat at all next season. If he does, winning two major awards at 2026 NFL Honors will be in play. Maybe he's not in attendance due to the Lions preparing for the Super Bowl, but he can still win two awards.
And if you're curious, or just need confirmation of what would be a pretty easy assumption, no one has ever won Defensive Player of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year in the same year.
Note: Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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