The cover for Madden 26 is likely to be announced within the next two or three weeks, so it’s a good time to dive into potential cover stars for this year’s game.
5. Eagles QB Jalen Hurts
Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts obviously makes a ton of sense to headline Madden 26, but he’s down at No. 5 in part because quarterbacks typically get a lot of love already. That said, if quarterback is the choice here, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson were all already on the Madden cover. Hurts is somehow still a controversial player, with some saying he essentially just plays with a stacked roster; but he’s a winner who can continue riding his wave of success onto the game’s cover.
4. Cowboys DE Micah Parsons
A defensive player hasn’t been a headliner on Madden since Richard Sherman on Madden 15. Micah Parsons has a lot going for him, from being a terror on the field to playing for a brand like the Cowboys to being good at playing the game himself. Parsons has done some livestreaming events to get fans engaged in the franchise, and he’d be an extremely worthy steward for EA to select.
3. Ravens RB Derrick Henry
Somewhat lost in a competitive season with a ton of other storylines, Derrick Henry ran wild with 1,921 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns in his first year with the Ravens. King Henry is a Hall of Fame lock, and who knows how many elite years he has left (though he’s not someone to bet against, even at 31 years old). He should get strong consideration for the Madden 26 cover.
2. Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase
We haven’t had a wide receiver on the cover since Antonio Brown on Madden 19—when he was an unstoppable All-Pro for the Steelers. A lot has changed since then, and we’re due for another cover athlete at the position. Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is coming off a Triple Crown in receiving, so he’d obviously be a wise choice. A joint cover with friend and quarterback Joe Burrow could make sense, too.
1. Eagles RB Saquon Barkley
Yes, a running back was on the cover last year in 49ers superstar Christian McCaffrey. But there’s no doubt the running back position has stormed back over the past couple of years—and Saquon Barkley just had a 2,000-yard rushing season capped by a Super Bowl title. One of the best seasons from a runner in NFL history deserves some serious Madden cover recognition. Also, Barkley is a major fan favorite—including for many kids out there who might be looking forward to playing the game.