Since John Madden stepped back from the limelight after adorning the Madden NFL cover from its 1988 launch through to 1999, an impressive list of NFL stars has taken his place, turning it into one of the biggest individual honours in football.
Ray Lewis, Brett Favre, Marshall Faulk, Tom Brady, and Lamar Jackson have all graced the cover. However, not every cover athlete has had the same level of career success, cultural impact or influence on the game.
So, who is the greatest Madden NFL cover athlete? We look at players’ career achievements, dominance, individual awards, popularity, legacy, cultural impact, longevity, and cover art to rank the top five Madden cover athletes.
As fans revisit the players who have graced Madden covers over the years, DraftKings also gives NFL followers a way to view current odds and keep track of how expectations are shaping up for the upcoming season.
5. Rob Gronkowski: Madden NFL 17
Tight ends have only ever made the Madden NFL game cover once in the history of the franchise. But tight end Rob Gronkowski is one of the greatest to have ever played the game. His impressive resume includes four Super Bowls, five-time Pro Bowls, and an NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.
Despite his considerable height and strength, Gronkowski was also quick, completing four 1,000-yard receiving seasons in his career. His impressive red-zone skills and ability as a blocker make the popular Gronkowski the perfect Madden personality.
4. Odell Beckham Jr.: Madden NFL 16
They say a picture paints a thousand words, so Odell Beckham Jr. deserves to make the top five solely for the iconic image of his famous one-handed catch. Having won the 2014 Offensive Rookie of the Year despite playing only 12 games, the New York Giants wide receiver produced one of the most spectacular catches in NFL history.
That moment turned Beckham Jr. into an overnight global sports personality. It saw him win a public fan vote to become the youngest player ever featured on a Madden cover at just 22 years of age.
Injuries have curtailed his career since, but three Pro Bowl selections are a testament to his talent. While he lacks the success of other stars, he remains one of the most culturally influential Madden cover stars.
3. Patrick Mahomes: Madden NFL 20 and Madden NFL 22
Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes already has 3 Super Bowls and 3 Super Bowl MVPs to his name. Plus, two regular-season MVP awards. His iconic Madden NFL 22 cover appearance with Tom Brady symbolised the superstar baton being handed over to the young pretender.
Mahomes broke the quarterback mould. He can extend and improvise plays and is blessed with an incredible arm that can make throws from unorthodox angles. His exciting “backyard football” style, partly influenced by his baseball background, changed perceptions of what a quarterback could do.
2. Tom Brady: Madden NFL 18 and Madden NFL 22
Brady is the obvious choice for the number one spot with his record seven Super Bowl victories, five Super Bowl MVPs, and three regular-season MVPs. He dominated the sport for years and dragged his team over the line on multiple occasions. Brady also remained an elite quarterback into his 40s, an incredible feat in such a brutal sport.
The quarterback’s success on the field made him one of the most recognisable sports figures in the world, bringing the game of American Football to a wider global audience. Add to that two Madden covers – one alongside Patrick Mahomes – and Brady has cemented his place as a Madden and NFL icon.
1. Barry Sanders: Madden NFL 2000 and Madden NFL 25
Okay, there’s no championship ring on show here, but there’s really no argument when it comes to the top spot. Barry Sanders is not only one of the greatest players in NFL history, but also one of the most entertaining.
Ten straight 10 NFL seasons for the Detroit Lions (1989–1998) saw him compile 15,269 rushing yards, 99 rushing touchdowns, and a 5.0 yards-per-carry average. He won the 1997 NFL MVP award, two Offensive Player of the Year awards, and 10 consecutive Pro Bowl selections.
He rushed for over 1,000 yards in every single one of his 10 NFL seasons, holds the record for the most consecutive 100-yard rushing games, and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004. Sanders also appeared in the background of the Madden NFL 2000 cover alongside John Madden himself.
In 2013, the running back finally got the cover all to himself on Madden NFL 25 (the 25th anniversary game edition) after winning a nationwide fan vote, defeating a long list of NFL legends along the way. That’s why he’s our number one pick.
Future Stars
After much anticipation, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was announced as the cover star for Madden NFL 27 back in June, becoming the first Chicago Bears player in history to receive the accolade.
Madden cover reveals never fail to excite fans, and despite the rumours of a cover curse, the franchise looks destined to go from strength to strength. As technology and game consoles continue to improve and evolve, Madden NFL will continue to add new chapters to one of football gaming’s most celebrated traditions.