Saquon Barkley named Madden NFL 26 cover star

EA Sports has named Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley the cover athlete for Madden NFL 26, honouring a landmark season that included a Super Bowl title, 2,005 rushing yards and a viral moment that seemed lifted straight from the video game itself.

Barkley, 28, is only the ninth player in NFL history to surpass the 2,000-yard mark in a single season.

He also became the newest member of the elite “Madden 99 Club,” the game’s highest rating tier, and the latest player to front the iconic franchise.

The cover reveal was accompanied by a now-iconic image: Barkley mid-air, performing a reverse hurdle over Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones during a Week 9 clash.

The move—executed while Barkley had his back turned to the defender—was widely circulated online and lauded as one of the season’s most jaw-dropping plays.

“Saquon’s reverse hurdle was one of the rare, defining moments in NFL history that would have once been described as ‘something out of a video game,’” said Evan Dexter, vice president of franchise strategy and marketing for EA Sports Madden NFL.

In a promotional video released with the announcement, Barkley reflected on the journey from gamer to cover athlete. “This last season’s been everything,” he said. “Win the Super Bowl, create iconic moments. It starts with imagination — being a kid, having those moments, playing video games and saying, ‘Why can’t I do it in real life?’”

The former New York Giants star credited his new team’s culture for fuelling his breakout campaign. Barkley was a key contributor in the Eagles’ title run and tallied 15 total touchdowns over the course of the season.

EA Sports stated the upcoming edition of Madden NFL would offer its most realistic simulation yet. “It’s a display of the athleticism and creativity of one of football’s most electrifying athletes,” Dexter said.

The game is set to release on 14 August 2025, with pre-orders now open.

“Starring on the cover of Madden NFL 26 and being named to the Madden NFL 99 Club are both dreams come true,” Barkley said.

“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.”

For Philadelphia fans, all that remains now is to hope the fabled “Madden Curse” doesn’t strike.

NFL fans on X (formerly Twitter) have been reacting to the news, with many naming alternatives they believe should've become cover athlete instead.