Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was announced Tuesday as EA Sports' cover athlete for Madden 27, but the decision has not been well received by NFL fans. Despite an impressive second year in the NFL, Williams has yet to perform at the highest level in football, and many believe he has not earned the coveted honor.
Other candidates that fans deemed more worthy include Super Bowl winner and Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba, reigning MVP Matthew Stafford, and New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.
When the covers were released on Wednesday morning, fans flooded social media with criticism of EA Sports' decision.
One commented: 'Bro, this is hands down the worst Madden cover ever. JSN, Stafford or Myles Garrett cleared him last year.'
Another posted: 'Why is he on the cover and not the Super Bowl champion or one of the players that actually played for the Super Bowl? Or maybe the MVP?'
A third added: 'Why? Bruh, this is a game that has had Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Michael Vick, Calvin Johnson and Antonio Brown on it, and an All-Proless and Pro Bowless QB is the cover athlete? Jordan Love is the best QB in his division.'
'Well Madden 27 sales will be non existent,' another insisted.
'Respectfully, this might legit be the worst person to ever be on the Madden cover. Should have been JSN or Matt Stafford or Myles Garrett or any of the 500 players who were better last year,' another stated.
'This legitimately might be the worst cover art Madden has had in years bro,' another posted.
On the standard cover, Williams is depicted in a body position similar to his pivotal, scrambling, fourth-and-eight jump pass to Rome Odunze in a stirring comeback victory over Green Bay in a wild card playoff game on January 10. With his arm cocked to throw and his feet spread, Williams appears to soar above a silhouette of the Chicago skyline set against a blue backdrop.
The deluxe edition features a tight shot of Williams with arms crossed over his white game jersey, a dark, night-like background, and snow falling around him.
Being featured on the game's cover is 'like my childhood dream was coming true,' Williams said. 'I grew up playing Madden and imagining what it would be like to be part of the game.'
Williams and the 2025 Bears became synonymous with late-game theatrics last season. They staged more than a handful of comeback victories to go with some dramatic comeback bids that came up just short, including their season-ending playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
In 17 regular-season games, Williams passed for a franchise-record 3,942 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his second season since being drafted first overall out of Southern California.
