There are many factors that can make theSan Francisco 49ers’ supporters happy for the upcoming year of 2026.Nick BosaandMike Evans, whose seasons were prematurely ended because of injuries, are currently tipped as favorites to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.
According to Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, both players were mentioned among his selections for projected comeback players of 2026. Should one of these players be awarded the trophy, the 49ers will extend their streak of winners that began after Christian McCaffrey won the award in 2025.
Nick Bosa And Mike Evans Emerge As Early Comeback Player Of The Year Contenders
Jul 23, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa answers questions from reporters following the first day of training camp at SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Probably at the number one spot would be Bosa. He earned his name when he won the title Defensive Player of the Year during his first season in the league, but he was involved in an accident in the year 2025 where he suffered from an ACL injury and could not play any further that year.
According to recent reports from Bosa, the process of getting better after his first ACL injury has influenced him greatly.
“When I did it in 2020, it [was jus](http://There are many factors that can make the San Francisco 49ers’ supporters happy for the upcoming year of 2026. Nick Bosa and Mike Evans, whose seasons were prematurely ended because of injuries, are currently tipped as favorites to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. According to Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport, both players were mentioned among his selections for projected comeback players of 2026. Should one of these players be awarded the trophy, the 49ers will extend their streak of winners that began after Christian McCaffrey won the award in 2025. Nick Bosa And Mike Evans Emerge As Early Comeback Player Of The Year Contenders Probably at the number one spot would be Bosa. He earned his name when he won the title Defensive Player of the Year during his first season in the league, but he was involved in an accident in the year 2025 where he suffered from an ACL injury and could not play any further that year. According to recent reports from Bosa, the process of getting better after his first ACL injury has influenced him greatly. "When I did it in 2020, it was just like balls to the wall, get back, push every milestone as hard as you possibly can. Now, I'm taking it slow." https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25439225-predicting-nfls-biggest-comeback-players-2026 Bosa, when healthy, is one of the best edge rushers in the game. He was named Defensive Player of the Year for 2022, having recorded 18.5 sacks and also being named to the Pro Bowl for the fourth straight year. Bosa will be expected to return to that form under the tutelage of the new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. Evans comes into the picture through a somewhat different route. The longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneer moved into the 49ers through free agency, suffering a broken clavicle last season, limiting him to eight games and only 368 receiving yards in 2025, the only season he did not get at least 1,000 receiving yards in the NFL. Preliminary impressions from the practice field have been positive. George Kittle recently praised Evans' immediate chemistry with quarterback Brock Purdy and suggested the veteran wideout has looked dominant throughout offseason workouts. The opportunity is certainly there, now San Francisco chasing another Super Bowl run and Kittle working back from an Achilles injury suffered during last year's post-season, Evans could quickly become Purdy's top target. Bosa and Evans are not the only 49ers stars returning from injury. Linebacker Fred Warner is also expected back after suffering a broken ankle in 2025. Sports Illustrated recently ranked San Francisco's defensive trio of Bosa, Warner and Deommodore Lenoir among the league's best entering the season despite last year's setbacks. Still, among all the comeback candidates around the NFL, Bosa and Evans stand out. However, one is trying to reclaim his spot among football's most feared defenders, and the other is looking to prove he can still dominate in a new uniform. If either delivers, another NFL award could be heading back to Santa Clara.)t like balls to the wall, get back, push every milestone as hard as you possibly can. Now, I’m taking it slow.”
Bosa, when healthy, is one of the best edge rushers in the game. He was named Defensive Player of the Year for 2022, having recorded 18.5 sacks and also being named to the Pro Bowl for the fourth straight year. Bosa will be expected to return to that form under the tutelage of the new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.
Evans comes into the picture through a somewhat different route. The longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneer moved into the 49ers through free agency, suffering a broken clavicle last season, limiting him to eight games and only 368 receiving yards in 2025, the only season he did not get at least 1,000 receiving yards in the NFL.
Preliminary impressions from the practice field have been positive. George Kittle recently praised Evans’ immediate chemistry with quarterback Brock Purdy and suggested the veteran wideout has looked dominant throughout offseason workouts.
The opportunity is certainly there, now San Francisco chasing another Super Bowl run and Kittle working back from an Achilles injury suffered during last year’s post-season, Evans could quickly become Purdy’s top target.
Bosa and Evans are not the only 49ers stars returning from injury. Linebacker Fred Warner is also expected back after suffering a broken ankle in 2025.Sports Illustrated recently ranked San Francisco’s defensive trio of Bosa, Warner and Deommodore Lenoir among the league’s best entering the season despite last year’s setbacks.
Still, among all the comeback candidates around the NFL, Bosa and Evans stand out. However, one is trying to reclaim his spot among football’s most feared defenders, and the other is looking to prove he can still dominate in a new uniform. If either delivers, another NFL award could be heading back to Santa Clara.