Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro running back Saquon Barkley isn't the first player in franchise history to be named as the cover guy fie the latest EA Madden video game.
If the Eagles want to be successful in 2025, though, the team is hoping for better results than the last time it happened.
Barkley and the Eagles have been celebrating the announcement of his Madden cover unveiling all day. There's good reason why he gets the coveted cover of one of the most popular sports video games on the planet.
An offensive player of the year award, a new record for single season rushing yards including playoffs, and a Super Bowl trophy were just some of the accolades that fell to Barkley last season.
Now, he becomes the first Eagle since Donovan McNabb to grace the cover as he’s the Madden 26 honoree
Good … right?
After McNabb was picked to be on the cover, the Eagles fell apart in 2005. Philadelphia finished 6-10, McNabb suffered through a hernia injury that cost him most of the season, and a squabble with Terrell Owens resulted in him going to the Dallas Cowboys.
Years have passed since that fateful season in Eagles history. The famed "Madden Curse" has somewhat gone by the wayside.
But there is still some fans concern from the Eagles at this stage. Of all five running backs picked on the cover of Madden, only one played more than 10 games the following season. Christian McCaffrey, the player from last year's Madden cover, played in only four games with major knee issues.
EA Sports Madden 26
EA Sports Madden 26
By Tony Fisher Credit to NFL And EA Sports
Barkley has one of the best offensive lines to run behind. It makes his second season in Philly far more likely for success.
That isn't guaranteed, though. Especially not with a Madden cover now on his resume.