As rumors swirl about Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley gracing the cover of Madden NFL 26, fans are divided—and many are panicking. While the honor of being selected as a Madden cover athlete is a hallmark of NFL superstardom, the shadow of the so-called “Madden Curse” continues to loom large, fueling fears that this move could jeopardize both Barkley’s health and the Eagles’ Super Bowl ambitions.
The Madden Curse returns to headlines after Saquon Barkley’s name surfaces
Dating back to 1999, the Madden Curse has left a trail of unfortunate injuries and downfalls. It began with Garrison Hearst, who suffered a devastating ankle injury after his cover appearance, sidelining him for two years. And while some athletes like Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes have emerged unscathed and even thrived after being featured, others haven’t been as lucky—like Christian McCaffrey, who struggled following his Madden 24 cover moment.
Now, as reports suggest Barkley could be EA Sports ’ latest poster boy, Eagles fans are sounding the alarm. One fan posted bluntly on X (formerly Twitter): “Injury incoming. Look what happened to CMC.” Another was more direct: “He will be hurt all season.”
The fear isn’t unfounded. Barkley, a dynamic playmaker, is crucial to the Eagles’ Super Bowl defense after their title-winning run in Super Bowl LIX. Losing him to injury could be devastating for Philadelphia’s offensive schemes. One alarmed user summed up the sentiment: “They tryna put the Madden curse on the Eagles now.”
Political spotlight adds fuel to the controversy
Barkley has also faced scrutiny off the field. After golfing with former U.S. President Donald Trump—just a day before the team’s official visit—he faced backlash for his political proximity. He swiftly responded on X: “Maybe I just respect the office — not a hard concept to understand. Just golfed with Obama not too long ago… and look forward to finishing my round with Trump!”
While some praised his diplomacy, others saw it as another unnecessary distraction. With EA Sports being a $38 billion brand, fan sentiment suggests they might be playing with fire. “No. Cancel it. Make it Odell or AB or something again,” one fan wrote.
Also Read: NFL faces backlash as Kansas City Chiefs dominate 2025 prime-time schedule with Taylor Swift effect in full swing
Whether the rumor proves true or not, the conversation around Saquon Barkley and the Madden 26 cover is exploding. Will he become the face of the franchise—or another victim of the curse? Only time will tell.
The Madden Curse returns to headlines after Saquon Barkley’s name surfaces
Dating back to 1999, the Madden Curse has left a trail of unfortunate injuries and downfalls. It began with Garrison Hearst, who suffered a devastating ankle injury after his cover appearance, sidelining him for two years. And while some athletes like Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes have emerged unscathed and even thrived after being featured, others haven’t been as lucky—like Christian McCaffrey, who struggled following his Madden 24 cover moment.
Now, as reports suggest Barkley could be EA Sports ’ latest poster boy, Eagles fans are sounding the alarm. One fan posted bluntly on X (formerly Twitter): “Injury incoming. Look what happened to CMC.” Another was more direct: “He will be hurt all season.”
Saquon Barkley will be the cover athlete of Madden 26, per @JClarkNBCS.
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) May 17, 2025
(Unofficial Art) pic.twitter.com/wunC8YlJmJ
The fear isn’t unfounded. Barkley, a dynamic playmaker, is crucial to the Eagles’ Super Bowl defense after their title-winning run in Super Bowl LIX. Losing him to injury could be devastating for Philadelphia’s offensive schemes. One alarmed user summed up the sentiment: “They tryna put the Madden curse on the Eagles now.”
Political spotlight adds fuel to the controversy
Barkley has also faced scrutiny off the field. After golfing with former U.S. President Donald Trump—just a day before the team’s official visit—he faced backlash for his political proximity. He swiftly responded on X: “Maybe I just respect the office — not a hard concept to understand. Just golfed with Obama not too long ago… and look forward to finishing my round with Trump!”
While some praised his diplomacy, others saw it as another unnecessary distraction. With EA Sports being a $38 billion brand, fan sentiment suggests they might be playing with fire. “No. Cancel it. Make it Odell or AB or something again,” one fan wrote.
Also Read: NFL faces backlash as Kansas City Chiefs dominate 2025 prime-time schedule with Taylor Swift effect in full swing
Whether the rumor proves true or not, the conversation around Saquon Barkley and the Madden 26 cover is exploding. Will he become the face of the franchise—or another victim of the curse? Only time will tell.
You may also like
Two Israeli embassy staff members shot dead near Jewish museum in Washington
'Not that tall': Trump jokes about son Barron's height at celebration for NCAA champs
Washington shooting: Terrorism police swarm city street as two people killed in horror attack
Ali Fazal trains with Italian MMA fighter Umberto Barbagallo for 'Rakht Brahmand'
Op Sindoor Outreach: Sanjay Jha-led all-party delegation arrives in Japan
