Saquon Barkley Named Madden 26 Cover After McCaffrey's Injury-Plagued Season

Christian McCaffrey, the San Francisco 49ers running back and the 2025 Madden NFL 25 cover athlete, experienced a challenging 2024 season marred by injuries, which many fans attribute to the infamous Madden cover curse. Despite this, McCaffrey congratulated Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley on being named the Madden 26 cover athlete, passing on the symbolic torch between two elite running backs. Barkley earned the honor after an outstanding campaign with over 2,000 rushing yards and helping the Eagles secure their second Super Bowl in a decade. Fans remain wary of the Madden curse, as previous cover running backs often faced injury-plagued seasons, but McCaffrey expressed hope and support for Barkley’s success. Barkley, who also achieved a 99 overall Madden rating, views the cover as a dream come true and a testament to the running back renaissance in the NFL. The Madden NFL 26 game will be released in August, featuring Barkley prominently on its cover and celebrating his remarkable achievements.