The NFL offseason is full of notable events like free agency in March, and the draft in April, as well as OTA’s but some fans look forward to the day the “Madden” cover athlete is announced.
In the 26 editions since the “Madden” cover featured an athlete, 12 quarterbacks have graced the video game’s cover. If rumors are to be believed, lucky No. 13 will be Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
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Yet to be confirmed by EA Sports, this rumor began circulating on social media Saturday, May 30 with an image showing Williams performing his “Iceman” gesture.
If this were to come to fruition next week, when EA Sports is expected to reveal Madden 27 and College Football 27 at an event in Chicago on June 4, then Williams would become the first Bears player to be on the cover of Madden.
MADDEN COVER: Saquon Barkley’s hurdle to front video game
It remains to be seen until EA Sports makes an official announcement, which typically happens in early June.
Williams made a significant leap in his third NFL season, as Chicago finished 11-6 and earned its first NFC North title since 2018. He was seventh in the NFL with 3,942 passing yards and sixth with 27 passing touchdowns. The former No. 1 pick led the NFL with six fourth-quarter comebacks.
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Every year, EA Sports faces a challenging decision when releasing the latest edition of its popular “Madden” NFL video game franchise: Who will be the cover athlete?
For Madden 26, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was chosen for the cover. He earned this honor after winning a Super Bowl and achieving the NFL’s ninth-ever 2,000-yard rushing season.
Now, as Madden 27 prepares to announce the cover athlete for 2026, the options are wide open, featuring some of the league’s top quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs, as well as two stars coming off record-setting seasons.
The potential cover candidates are stacked with notable names who should be on Madden’s radar as the game’s developers assess who should represent it.
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With Williams still not confirmed for the Madden 27 cover, here’s a look at other top options:
Madden cover candidates
Madden cover athletes by year
Madden first put an athlete on the cover in 2000, when Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George was chosen to front “Madden 2001.” Below is a look at all the people who have earned the cover art nod since then.
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Madden 2002 (2001): Daunte Culpepper, QB, Minnesota Vikings
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Madden 2003 (2002): Marshall Faulk, RB, St. Louis Rams
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Madden 2005 (2004): Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore Ravens
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Madden 06 (2005): Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
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Madden 07 (2006): Shaun Alexander, RB, Seattle Seahawks
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Madden 08 (2007): Vince Young, QB, Tennessee Titans
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Madden 25 (2013): Barry Sanders, RB, Detroit Lions
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Madden 18 (2017): Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
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Madden 23 (2022): John Madden, Pro Football Hall of Fame coach
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Madden 26 (2025): Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Madden 27 cover rumors swirling around Bears QB Caleb Williams
