With EA set to reveal Madden 27’s next cover athlete in Chicago on Thursday, signs are pointing to Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams—an unusual moment for a franchise cover that has never before featured a Bears player.
Thursday in Chicago is when EA plans to announce the next cover athlete for the Madden video game franchise. The timing has lit up rampant rumors that Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will be this year’s choice, and fans haven’t had to look far for the fuel.
No Bears player has ever graced the cover of the game. That detail alone has made the speculation feel heavier than usual. The cover athlete still matters even if the “cover” itself isn’t as visible as it used to be—Madden is commonly downloaded directly to consoles. and the featured player now becomes the centerpiece of the game’s startup process. with repeated video of the athlete playing as players get ready to launch.
The franchise’s recent history makes the question even more pointed. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley landed on the Madden 26 cover. Before him, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey appeared on Madden 25. Bills quarterback Josh Allen earned the distinction in Madden 24.
There was once supposed “jinx” chatter tied to being on the Madden cover. That talk cooled after Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, whose Madden 20 involvement released in 2019 was followed by a Super Bowl win to cap the 2019 season.
Behind the scenes. EA’s position in the market is also part of why this announcement carries weight for football fans who live for realistic gameplay. EA has owned the exclusive console license since NFL 2K5 created a much cheaper and superior product in 2004. Even as some complain about Madden. it continues to be the only option for a football video game that looks and feels realistic.
Madden 27 Caleb Williams Chicago Bears EA Sports Saquon Barkley Christian McCaffrey Josh Allen Patrick Mahomes NFL video games