Every year, EA Sports faces a difficult decision when releasing the latest edition of its popular ‘Madden’ NFL video game franchise. Who will be on the game’s cover?
For Madden 26, the answer to that question is Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. He deservedly earned the nod after winning a Super Bowl and recording the NFL’s ninth-ever 2,000-yard rushing season.
Even so, a handful of top quarterbacks and pass-catchers posted good enough numbers to draw attention for the cover. Few would have complained if they were chosen despite Barkley’s accolades.
These potential cover candidates quality veterans with proven track records and a group explosive, young playmakers who are just entering their prime. Suffice to say these players will be on Madden’s radar over the next few seasons as the game makers assess who to represent the game.
Here’s a look at the best potential first-time cover athlete options over the next handful of seasons.
Best future Madden cover options
Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Hurts helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl 59 win and was named MVP of the game after racking up 293 total yards and three total touchdowns in a 40-22 Philadelphia rout. Had his teammate, Barkley, not broken the 2,000-yard barrier, Hurts well could have graced the cover of Madden 26.
Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Burrow presently has the highest completion percentage among qualified players in NFL history (68.6%). Had the Bengals won more games in 2024, Burrow might have been the NFL MVP, as he completed 70.6% of his passes for 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns – both league-leading figures – and tossed just nine interceptions.
Those credentials alone make Burrow worthy of a Madden cover. He can further state his case by actually capturing an MVP or leading Cincinnati on another deep playoff run.
Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders
Is it too early for Daniels to draw Madden cover consideration? Maybe, but his rookie season was arguably the best by a quarterback in NFL history. He led Washington to an eight-win improvement and a surprise trip to the NFC championship game while posting the fourth-best QBR in the league (70.6) behind Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Burrow.
If Daniels can repeat his success in his sophomore season, he will firmly establish himself as one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks. That will put the 24-year-old in the annual mix to be included on the Madden cover.
Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Henry posted a 2,000-yard season in 2020, making him a prime candidate for the Madden 22 cover. Instead, the game awarded the honor to Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady, marking the franchise’s second-ever joint cover.
Madden could eventually give Henry his flowers if the 31-year-old continues playing at a high level. The workhorse had 1,921 rushing yards in 2024 and recorded his fourth 300-carry season of the last six years.
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
If Henry has the legacy needed to be on the Madden cover, Gibbs has the upside. The 23-year-old is one of the most explosive backs in the league and has averaged a whopping 5.5 yards per carry during his career.
Gibbs nearly produced 2,000 scrimmage yards in 2024 despite splitting carries with David Montgomery for most of the campaign. If the Alabama product eventually gets a larger workload, he will establish himself as one of the NFL’s best young backs.
Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Like Gibbs, Robinson is a young, explosive running back. He got a much larger workload in his second season with the Falcons, turning 304 carries into 1,456 yards, 14 touchdowns and a Pro Bowl nod.
Robinson has also averaged 59.5 receptions over his first two seasons. That should put the No. 8 pick from the 2023 NFL Draft on Madden’s radar, given its penchant for putting dual-threat backs like Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey on its cover.
Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings and Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
OK, let’s get creative here. There has only been two joint covers in Madden history, but why not make one with a couple of the league’s best receivers?
Jefferson and Chase are both explosive, downfield threats who have never failed to record at least 1,000 receiving yards in a season. Putting them on the cover together would pay homage to their time together at LSU and the school’s recent history of producing high-end receiving talent, including former Madden cover athlete Odell Beckham Jr.
And hey, if Malik Nabers can play well enough in his second season with the New York Giants, he could play his way onto this cover as well.
Trent Williams, OT, San Francisco 49ers
No offensive lineman has even been on the Madden cover. If the game ever decides to tribute the unheralded heroes of great NFL teams, Williams would be a great choice to become the first.
Williams is an 11-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro first teamer who has graded as Pro Football Focus’ top offensive tackle five times in his 14 NFL seasons. McCaffrey, Brock Purdy and George Kittle may draw more attention as potential cover athletes, but if the 49ers go on another Super Bowl run, Williams should be in the mix.
T.J. Watt, edge, Pittsburgh Steelers
Just three defensive players have graced the Madden cover during its history, and only two of those – Ray Lewis and Richard Sherman – were solo covers. Watt, a four-time All-Pro and the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, has 108 career sacks. That could put him on Madden’s radar and give the youngest Watt brother an honor his oldest brother, J.J. Watt, never got.
Micah Parsons, edge, Dallas Cowboys
Parsons is one of the fastest and most dynamic edge players in the NFL, and has never recorded fewer than 12 sacks in his four NFL seasons. He may not have the same longevity as Watt, but his video-game like speed could make him an ideal option for an eventual Madden cover.
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 of the people to earn the cover art nod since then.
- 2000: Eddie George, RB, Tennessee Titans
- 2001: Daunte Culpepper, QB, Minnesota Vikings
- 2002: Marshall Faulk, RB, St. Louis Rams
- 2003: Michael Vick, QB, Atlanta Falcons
- 2004: Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore Ravens
- 2005: Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
- 2006: Shaun Alexander, RB, Seattle Seahawks
- 2007: Vince Young, QB, Tennessee Titans
- 2008: Brett Favre, QB, Green Bay Packers
- 2009: Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers and Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
- 2010: Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
- 2011: Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns
- 2012: Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions
- 2013: Barry Sanders, RB, Detroit Lions
- 2013: Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
- 2014: Richard Sherman, CB, Seattle Seahawks
- 2015: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants
- 2016: Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots
- 2017: Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
- 2018: Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2019: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
- 2020: Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
- 2021: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs and Tom Brady, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- 2022: John Madden, Pro Football Hall of Fame coach
- 2023: Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
- 2024: Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
- 2025: Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
