EA Sports officially revealed the Standard and Deluxe Edition covers of its Madden NFL 27 video game on Wednesday morning, confirming a leak on Xbox over the weekend that also showed the Standard and Deluxe Edition covers of College Football 27.
Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is coming off a sophomore season in which he threw for 3,942 yards and 27 touchdown with just seven interceptions to lead the Bears to the NFC North division title and their first playoff appearance since 2020.
He becomes the first player in franchise history to grace the main cover of the iconic franchise named after Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster John Madden, though offensive lineman Roberto Garza was the face of Madden NFL 09: En Español after EA Sports briefly offered a version with Spanish commentary.
Former linebacker Brian Urlacher was also on the cover of NFL 2K3, which rivaled the Madden franchise until EA Sports signed an exclusive licensing deal with the NFL in December 2004. This is the sixth time in the last 10 years that a quarterback has been the featured athlete on the cover of Madden.
This year’s Standard Edition cover shows Williams in the Bears’ home uniform making a jump pass – mimicking his throw on 4th-and-8 in last year’s Wild Card playoff win over the Green Bay Packers – in front of the Chicago skyline, bringing to mind Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan’s iconic Air Jumpman photo.
The Deluxe Edition cover, meanwhile, features Williams doing his “Iceman” celebration in the Bears’ road uniform with snow falling around him and fingernail art that includes the Chicago flag, the Bears’ logo, the NFL shield and EA Sports’ logo, making for one of the more unique designs in the game’s history, which dates back to 1988.
“When I received the call from Madden, it was like my childhood dream was coming true,” Williams said in a press release. “I grew up playing Madden and imagining what it would be like to be part of the game. I know fans are going to love what’s new in this year’s game, and I’m looking forward to getting my rating up to a 99 by the end of the season.”
Photos courtesy of @EAMaddenNFL on X/Twitter.
