Caleb Williams has now been officially confirmed as the cover athlete for Madden NFL 27. With the announcement, he joins an exclusive group of superstar quarterbacks who have previously been featured on the cover of the iconic video game franchise.
The official Madden NFL 27 X account announced on Wednesday morning that the Bears quarterback had secured the cover spot for this year’s edition of the game.
First bears player on Madden cover
The Madden NFL 27 cover depicts Williams recreating his memorable throw against the Green Bay Packers. “The jump. The #Madden27 Cover. The future,”
Adding to its distinctive look, the artwork shows him suspended in midair as he prepares to release the ball, with the Chicago skyline illuminated in the background under what appears to be a nighttime setting.
The Deluxe Edition cover, meanwhile, showcases Williams in a separate pose.
“The Iceman arrives… Your #Madden27 Deluxe Edition cover is here,”
The post also noted that the game’s full reveal is set for Thursday, June 4, at 8 p.m. ET. “Full reveal Thursday, 6/4 at 8 PM ET,” the announcement stated.
Fans question Madden cover choice
However, the announcement was not met with universal approval, with many debating whether other standout players were more deserving of the cover than Williams.
One of the users wrote, “Should’ve been 37yo MVP Stafford or record breaking Garrett.”
A separate post by NFL Drop, an X account known for sharing satire and NFL-related content, alleged that a petition had gone viral following the announcement of Caleb Williams as the Madden NFL 27 cover star.
The post claimed that the petition calls for Caleb Williams to be removed from the cover and replaced by Jordan Love.
“TRENDING: A petition to “Change the EA Madden NFL 27 cover athlete [from Caleb Williams] to Jordan Love” has reached over 100,000 signatures in just a few hours.”
, alongside a screenshot of what appeared to be an online petition showing 103,015 signatures.
However, the claim surrounding the petition could not be verified, leaving questions about its credibility and legitimacy.
One of the fan wrote, “Should be Shedeur.”
Another added, “After one mid season lmaoo?”
One user questioned Williams’ selection altogether, writing, “Has there ever been a less deserving cover athlete? Serious question.”
Another fan added,” Instead of putting the young talent from Caleb’s class who took his time to the Super Bowl on the cover, they gave it to this flop.”
Williams lands cover amid curse fears
Not all concerns centered on Williams’ credentials, as some fans worried about the potential impact of the notorious Madden curse. “Caleb on Madden already? Buckle up bears fans,” a fan wrote.
Nevertheless, Williams’ popularity soared last season as he helped lead the Bears to several crucial regular-season victories, secure the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs, and advance to the NFC Divisional Round.
His selection for Madden NFL 27 also marks a historic milestone, as he becomes the first player in Chicago Bears history to grace the cover of the iconic video game franchise.