It’s 5 o’clock somewhere…
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In early June every year – so, about 5 or 6 weeks from now – the annual cover for EA’s Madden NFL game is unveiled. For some, it’s completely inconsequential; for many, it’s a highlight of the NFL offseason.
The cover of the Madden NFL video game isn’t just about the game itself; it really captures the vibe of football and gaming culture. Since the very first game, the cover has showcased some of the biggest stars in the NFL, making it a big deal for players to land that spot. Each year, they pick a cover athlete who really represents the game and reflects what’s happening in the NFL at the moment, often featuring players who are absolutely killing it in their careers.
And let’s not forget the buzz around the Madden cover! There’s this fun superstition called the “Madden Curse” that has intrigued fans and players alike since its inception.
The origins of the Madden Curse can be traced back to the early 2000s, when fans began to notice a pattern of misfortune befalling cover athletes. For instance, running back Eddie George, who was featured on the cover of Madden NFL 2001, experienced a noticeable decline in performance in the following season. Similarly, other cover athletes like Daunte Culpepper, Michael Vick and Calvin Johnson faced injuries and performance drops shortly after their appearances.
Despite the apparent trend, many argue that the Madden Curse is largely coincidental and fueled by confirmation bias. After all, the NFL is a physically demanding sport, and injuries are a common occurrence for many players, regardless of their cover status. Moreover, some players have managed to defy the curse, such as Tom Brady, who appeared on the cover of Madden NFL 18 and continued to perform at an elite level.
Awesome: Patriots star QB Drake Maye used to throw to Stefon Diggs in Madden and is now excited to get to throw to him in real life:
“I had him on fantasy teams…playing with him on Madden.”
Maye and Diggs will be a LETHAL duo pic.twitter.com/vXV4xpPYSt
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 1, 2025
EA Sports, of course, seeks to maximize its leverage by selecting the most exciting athlete possible for the annual cover. Who in the NFL is more exciting than the guy who sold more jerseys than any other pro athlete in the world last year, Jayden Daniels?
If I were in charge of cover art at EA Sports, the guy at the top of my list would be JD5. Of course, some might argue that, after a single Rookie of the Year season, it’s too soon to make Jayden Daniels the face of NFL football — that this ‘honor’ should be reserved for veteran players who have spent years building a legacy. They don’t want to see a flash in the pan immortalized on the cover of this iconic game.
What do you think?