In a long-awaited move, the Associated Press (AP) has outlined new guidelines for the coveted Comeback Player of the Year Award. After years of ambiguity surrounding the criteria for the honor, the AP has specified that the award is meant to commemorate players who have demonstrated resilience by overcoming illness, physical injury, or other circumstances that led to missing playing time in the previous season.

The decision to clarify the award's purpose came after controversial instances where players deemed as "comebacks" left fans bewildered. Geno Smith's win in 2022 and Damar Hamlin's omission from the honor in 2023 fuelled discussions about reevaluating the award's parameters. Consequently, it seems that the subcategory of "Coming Back from Being a Backup" may no longer be a viable consideration.

This change in standards may cause disappointment for bettors who had placed wagers on players like Russell Wilson, the Steelers' quarterback, with odds of 12-1. While Wilson's benching could arguably be explained by "other circumstances" such as contractual complications, it remains uncertain if the AP will take such factors into account. The alteration in guidelines may have rendered Wilson a non-longshot for the award, even if he had finished the season as a starter.

The alterations in criteria not only affect Wilson's chances but also impact other potential contenders. One such player is Justin Fields, another Steelers quarterback, upon whom bettors may have laid their hopes. Likewise, the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback, Sam Darnold, at 30-1 odds, may no longer be eligible despite not being injured or ill last season. If Darnold wins the starting role and has an exceptional season under coach Kevin O'Connell, it seems he would not qualify under the revised guidelines.

These developments underscore the risks associated with betting on sports outcomes that rely on subjective voting processes. The fluidity of award standards can change after wagers have been placed, leaving gamblers at a disadvantage. Questions arise regarding the potential for sportsbooks to refund bets made on players who didn't miss time in 2023 due to illness or injury but rather due to performance or being benched.

While the revision of standards was intended to address specific issues, it is important to consider the unintended consequences it may bring. The AP's efforts to bring clarity to the Comeback Player of the Year Award have the potential to create further complexities and debates within the sports betting landscape.

Only time will tell how the sportsbooks will respond to these changes, including whether they remove certain players from the betting board altogether. As football fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming season, the alteration in award criteria will undoubtedly add an extra layer of intrigue to the race for the Comeback Player of the Year title.