It’s the NFL offseason, and attention is now turning to Madden NFL 26, with rumors swirling that Eagles running back Saquon Barkley could be the next cover athlete. While being featured on the cover is a major accolade—especially for a Super Bowl champion—fans are voicing concern that it might come with a hidden cost.
The worry stems from the long-standing superstition known as the “Madden Curse.” The legend began with Garrison Hearst, who appeared on the cover of Madden NFL 1999 and then suffered a severe ankle injury in the playoffs that sidelined him for two full seasons. His eventual return in 2001 earned him the league’s Comeback Player of the Year award.
Now, with Barkley potentially being selected for the 2025 edition, fans are nervous. Barkley has recently faced a different kind of controversy after being spotted with former U.S. President Donald Trump, just a day before a team event. After stepping off Marine One in New Jersey, Trump publicly complimented Barkley and the two played a round of golf together.
🚨🚨NFL RUMORS #Eagles Saquon Barkley is expected be the #Madden cover athlete pic.twitter.com/6jYc3I4vk6
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) May 17, 2025
Facing backlash for the meeting, Barkley took to social media (formerly Twitter) to address the criticism. He clarified his position by saying that respecting the office doesn’t necessarily mean political support, mentioning that he had also golfed with former President Barack Obama. His response showed maturity and aimed to distance his personal actions from political assumptions.
Still, the controversy around his political appearances and now the Madden rumors have reignited debates among fans. The “Madden Curse” has many believers, despite being debunked by some recent stars. Tom Brady graced the cover of Madden 18 in 2017, went on to avoid injuries, and even added two more Super Bowl titles to his resume. Patrick Mahomes, who was on the Madden 20 cover in 2019, won a Super Bowl that same season with the Chiefs.
The Eagles are set to defend their Super Bowl LIX title, and having their star running back take such a visible risk is causing concern. Barkley is considered vital to the team’s hopes, and many fans are uneasy about him following in the footsteps of other cover athletes who experienced downturns after being featured.
One recent and vivid example cited is Christian McCaffrey, who was on the Madden 24 cover. After a dominant 2023 season, McCaffrey’s following year was less fortunate, aligning with the so-called curse narrative. Some fans quickly connected the dots and warned Barkley online that he might suffer a similar fate.
Social media has been flooded with fan reactions—some pleading for EA Sports to choose another player for the cover. One suggested Odell Beckham Jr. or Antonio Brown instead, while others saw it as an intentional jinx aimed at the Eagles. Reactions ranged from dread to outright anger, with some even stating it could signal the end of Barkley’s career if the curse continues.
Despite the fears, Barkley’s performance in 2024 was stellar, with over 2,000 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns. This success only increases the concern among fans who don’t want to see any disruptions ahead of another Super Bowl run.
With no official confirmation yet, the debate continues: will Barkley break the curse, or will history repeat itself? Either way, the decision is sure to draw massive attention from both fans and critics alike.