Nov 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) in action against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bill Streicher
Saquon Barkley was revealed as the cover star for Madden 26, EA Sports announced Monday.
.@Saquon hurdled his way onto the cover of #Madden26
Coming 8.14.25. Pre-Order Today.
🔗: https://t.co/zm14BbUaJf pic.twitter.com/l1QYWN0b7h
— Madden NFL 26 (@EAMaddenNFL) June 2, 2025
Hurdling onto the @EAMaddenNFL cover 🙏🏾Dream come true! Fly Eagles Fly 🦅 https://t.co/zUTwOWHE1U pic.twitter.com/X1xQWIEpk6
The cover depicts Barkley's viral backwards hurdle over Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones in his Kelly Green jersey. The Deluxe Edition cover shows Barkley in Midnight Green peering back over his shoulder. Barkley joins Donovan McNabb as the only ever Eagles player to be on the cover of Madden. McNabb was the cover star for Madden 06.
Barkley will also join the "99 Club" as the highest-rated player in the game. He's only the third Eagles player to earn that honor, joining David Akers (Madden 06) and Brian Dawkins (Madden 04).
Feelin’ pretty good@saquon | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/XHZVLqIVwJ
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) June 2, 2025
Considering the season Barkley had, he was always going to be a top candidate for being placed on the cover. After leaving the New York Giants and signing with the Eagles in free agency, Barkley had a historic season. He rushed for over 2,000 yards in the regular season — joining Derrick Henry as the second player since 2012 to accomplish that feat — and set the record for most rushing yards in a single season (regular and postseason) with 2,504.
Barkley provided plenty of iconic moments throughout the season. He debuted with three touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers. He ran all over the Los Angeles Rams (twice) — once in SoFi Stadium and the other in a blizzard during the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Barkley rushed for a 60-yard touchdown on the Eagles first offensive snap in the NFC Championship game versus the Washington Commanders. While Barkley's reverse hurdle wasn't a game-deciding play, it was probably the most memorable of the entire 2024 NFL season.
It provided Madden with a layup for what the cover would be for its newest release, which will come out on Aug. 14. Madden covers typically show a quarterback throwing the ball or a running back carrying it. Instead Barkley's hurdle provides a dynamic image that will likely be a very popular cover.
