There are few things in sports that have withstood the test of time like the “Madden NFL” video game. The cultural phenomenon has also made “Who is on the cover?” an important tentpole in the NFL’s offseason.
EA Sports shared that they would be announcing the “Madden NFL 24” cover athlete on June 11th:
Alongside the game’s namesake, legendary coach and broadcaster John Madden, quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes (twice), Lamar Jackson, Tom Brady and Josh Allen have adorned the cover the last five seasons. For 2024, the best guess is another star quarterback, like Joe Burrow, would get the honor.
What if another, more surprising/interesting, option was chosen? Here are 10 options that the SB Nation staff thinks would fit:
Brock Purdy
Wait, you thought the “Brock Purdy Discourse” was bad now? Just IMAGINE what your social media feeds would look like if Madden 2025 drops with the former Mr. Irrelevant — you heard he was the last player picked in his draft right? — is on the cover.
Jason, Travis, and Donna Kelce
In many ways, Jason and Travis Kelce have been some of the biggest stars of the NFL in recent years. Their podcast “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce” has become a must-listen, and Travis’ Kansas City Chiefs have won back-to-back Super Bowls, beating Jason’s Philadelphia Eagles two years ago.
And their mother, Donna Kelce, has become a celebrity in her own right.
The Detroit Lions offensive line
It is time.
One of the big storylines heading into this season is that big is back in the NFL. After years and years of the passing game being king, the advent of smaller defensive fronts and two-deep coverages has made running the football a bigger part of the game.
Last year the Detroit Lions offensive line — led by Frank Ragnow, Taylor Decker, and Penei Sewell — powered Jared Goff and company to the NFC Championship Game.
Let’s get some big boys on the cover.
Aaron Donald
Let’s be real; we’re all tired of seeing QBs and other skill position players on the cover of Madden. So let’s shout out the best athletes on the field, starting with the greatest modern defender of all time. Donald retired after this offseason, and there’s no better way to honor the surefire Hall of Famer than to put him on the cover of the game.
QBs Don’t Matter, but the defensive line does. Let’s prove it by getting Donald on the cover.
Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase
A few years ago EA Sports put Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes on the cover, two players at the same position.
They can do something similar with two of the game’s best young talents at wide receiver, who also happened to be teammates at LSU.
Mike Tomlin
In 17 years as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tomlin has never had a losing season. With the game named after a legendary coach, it is slightly surprising no other coaches besides Madden himself have graced the cover.
Tomlin fixes that in 2024.
(As a Browns fan, this was tough to write.)
Dexter Lawrence
Lawrence has quietly been one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL, putting up absurd stats for a player of his size and position. Nose tackles deserve some love too, and who wouldn’t want to see his sack dance when you open up the game?
Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert
This one is simple: Madden 25, but make it Miami Vice. Put a bunch of neon pinks and blues on the cover, put Waddle, Hill and Mostert in a fast car or wearing linen suits, and profit.
Christian McCaffrey
While Brock Purdy might not be a viable option, perhaps his teammate in the San Francisco backfield is. McCaffrey put up MVP-level numbers last season, and was a huge reason the 49ers made it to Super Bowl LVIII.
The last time a running back was featured on the cover? Madden 14, which was re-branded as Madden 25 and had two different covers, one with Barry Sanders and the other with Adrian Peterson.
Let’s go back to the RB well for this year’s cover.
Myles Garrett
While Lawrence is a fun idea, if a defender is going to make the cover it should probably be the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. The hulking Garrett also looks the part of a “Create A Player” most of us made and dominated with throughout our childhoods.
Who do you think the cover athlete will be? Who do you think would be the most fun choice to be on the cover (realistically)?
Share our guesses in the comment section below and see what other fans thought
