Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has been named the cover athlete for EA Sports’ Madden 27. This makes him the first quarterback featured on the cover since Josh Allen appeared on Madden 24. In his two-year NFL career, Williams has shown growth, improving from a 5-12 record as a rookie to an 11-6 record in his second season, although he narrowly missed achieving 4,000 passing yards. The announcement brings with it concern among fans due to the "Madden curse," known to negatively impact cover athletes' performance.

By the Numbers
  • In his rookie season, Williams recorded 3,541 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions.
  • In his second season, he threw for 3,942 yards with 27 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.
Yes, But

The Madden curse has historically plagued cover athletes, leading to concerns among fans about potential declines in performance or injuries following their feature. Examples include Saquon Barkley's drop in rushing yards after his cover appearance and Christian McCaffrey's injury struggles in 2024.

State of Play
  • Williams led the Bears to the divisional round in his second season.
  • The team aims to build on the success of their 11-6 record and improve playoff prospects in 2026.
What's Next

Fans will watch closely to see if Williams can avoid the dreaded "Madden curse" as he continues to develop and lead the Bears' offense in the upcoming season.

Bottom Line

Caleb Williams' cover status represents both a celebration of his potential and a source of apprehension due to historical patterns affecting cover athletes. His growth as a player will be closely evaluated as the Bears aim for continued improvement.