Nobody loves Madden NFL more than pro football players. They are obsessed with their ratings, their abilities, and of course, everybody wants the cover. But that race ended Week 9 of the NFL season when Saquon pulled off the definition of a "video game" move.
EA Sports made it official today, announcing the Philadelphia Eagles star and Super Bowl champ as the Madden 26 cover athlete. He's the first Eagle in 20 years to earn the cover and the first Eagle offensive player to earn a 99 overall rating. Barkley will appear on two separate covers, one commemorating the reverse hurdle.
EA actually added the reverse hurdle as a Saquon-specific move in Madden 25, realizing what a gamechanger he is and that they couldn't wait until 2025 to capitalize on it. The cover immortalizes unforgettable seasons, and Barkley's 2024 campaign qualifies.
He was the first player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,500 yards in a single season, including 499 yards and five touchdowns in the playoffs. He capped it all off with a Super Bowl championship, helping Philly knock off the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
“Starring on the cover of Madden NFL 26 and being named to the Madden NFL ‘99 Club’ are both dreams come true,” said Barkley. “I’m grateful to my teammates, coaches, and Eagles fans for their support, and I can’t wait to hit the field again to give Madden players more highlight-reel moments in Madden NFL 26.”
You can now pre-order the Madden NFL 26 Deluxe Edition for 3-day Early Access, 4600 Madden Points, and other extras.. If you also plan to pick up College Football 26, the MVP Bundle with both games is available for pre-order as well.
Madden NFL 26 launches August 14 on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.