Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has been chosen as the cover athlete for Madden NFL 27, making him the first player in Bears history to appear on the iconic video game’s cover. EA Sports made the announcement on Wednesday (June 3), marking a milestone for both Williams and the Chicago franchise, which had never previously been featured on a Madden cover.
Williams, who enters the 2026 season with a 90 overall rating, said, “When I received the call from Madden, it was like my childhood dream was coming true. Being on the cover of Madden NFL 27 is a full-circle moment. I grew up playing Madden and imagining what it would be like to be part of the game. I know fans are going to love what’s new in this year’s game, and I’m looking forward to getting my rating up to a 99 by the end of the season.”
Williams’ selection comes after a breakout season under new Bears head coach Ben Johnson. He set a franchise record by throwing for 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns, led Chicago to its first division title since 2018, and helped secure the team’s first playoff win in 15 years. Notably, he delivered a 46-yard walk-off touchdown pass in overtime against the Green Bay Packers—named the 2025 NFL Moment of the Year.
The cover for the game and the deluxe edition were revealed in a pair of posts on X:
EA Sports’ vice president of franchise strategy and marketing, Evan Dexter, called Williams “what a true face of the franchise looks like,” emphasizing how ‘Madden NFL 27’ aims to let players make critical decisions that shape their own NFL experience.
Williams is the first quarterback to appear on a Madden cover since Josh Allen in 2024. He was drafted first overall by the Bears in 2024 and has played in 34 games over two seasons, improving from a 5-12 rookie campaign to an 11-6 record last season.
‘Madden NFL 27’ will be released worldwide on August 13, with a full game reveal scheduled for this Thursday (June 4) on the official EA Madden NFL YouTube channel. EA Play members can access a 10-hour early trial starting August 6, while EA Play Pro members get access to the Pro Edition on August 10.
As always, fans will be watching whether the so-called “Madden Curse” will impact Williams’ upcoming season—a tradition where cover athletes have sometimes faced challenges on the field in the year of their appearance.
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