Madden 27 cover athlete: Why Caleb Williams was chosen by EA Sports for 2026 video game

Madden 27 cover athlete: Why Caleb Williams was chosen by EA Sports for 2026 video game originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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On Wednesday, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams became the first player from the organization to be featured on a Madden cover.

Chicago’s offensive leader will be featured on the Madden 27 cover after his best NFL season thus far, where he ranked in the top-10 in passing yards and touchdowns.

EA Sports officially announced that Williams would be on the cover of its upcoming game in the “Madden” series, using the image of the quarterback doing his trademark leaping throw on the cover.

Here’s why Chicago’s quarterback will be on Madden 27 game covers across the country.

MORE:Is the Madden curse real? | Madden covers by year

Caleb Williams chosen as Madden 27 cover athlete

The previous 2026 campaign was by far Williams’ best in his young NFL career. Chicago’s shot-caller threw for 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns, which both tallied in the top 10 and sat just outside the league’s top five. Now, Williams has officially been named as the Madden 27 cover athlete.

The first look at Williams on the cover was released on Wednesday. Here is how the Bears quarterback will look on this year’s edition of Madden:

The jump. The #Madden27 Cover. The future.

Gridiron heroics earn @CALEBcsw Cover Athlete status!

Full reveal Thursday, 6/4 at 8 PM ET
🔗: https://t.co/REHXoqeZIfpic.twitter.com/VBzO40XbdF

— Madden NFL 26 (@EAMaddenNFL) June 3, 2026

🥶 The Iceman arrives.

Your #Madden27 Deluxe Edition cover is here.

Full reveal Thursday, 6/4 at 8 PM ET
🔗: https://t.co/REHXoqeZIfpic.twitter.com/gIHFHt94Wb

— Madden NFL 26 (@EAMaddenNFL) June 3, 2026

The Chicago Bears’ Standard Edition cover features his “jumpman” pass, a play that has already become a staple in his young career’s arsenal.

Here are Caleb Williams’ two Madden covers. His jumpman pass, best remembered by the 4th/8 throw to Rome Odunze in the playoffs, is the cover of the Standard Edition. Williams’ “Iceman” celebration will be the cover of the Deluxe Edition. pic.twitter.com/ecsmZh1MNp

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) June 3, 2026

Here is an example of that throw from Williams:

“Caleb Williams is what a true Face of the Franchise looks like — the culmination of many moments in the Chicago Bears’ incredible history that has led them to their electric, generational quarterback,” said Evan Dexter, EA’s VP of Franchise Strategy and Marketing, according to EA’s official press release.

“Just like Caleb, the future of football in Madden NFL 27 is thrilling and more dynamic than ever before. We can’t wait for fans to see it on June 4.”

Williams has earned the title of Chicago’s first-ever player to be on a Madden cover. News that the Bears’ QB would be featured on the game’s Deluxe Edition leaked on May 30.

Madden 27 🤝College Football 27 pic.twitter.com/X41UzcPhGB

— MUTLeaks (@MUTLeaksXXVII) May 30, 2026

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Madden covers by year

From 1988 to 1999, John Madden appeared on every Madden cover. However, after that span, EA began the tradition of selecting an NFL cover athlete solely for each year’s edition of their Madden game. While players did appear on the Madden 95 cover, it was Madden himself who was most prominent.

The first player to appear prominently on a Madden cover was Eddie George, the Tennessee Titans running back, in 2000. He appeared on the Madden 2001 cover.

While some fans believe that if a player is selected to be the cover athlete for Madden, they are bound for a negative year, many of the league’s best have featured their likeness on the cover of one of the most popular football games.

Here is a list of each Madden cover athlete since 2000. 

MORE: A look at each Madden cover since 2000