No, I’m not talking about the Madden video game that came out in 2014 called Madden 25. By the way, I still don’t know why they couldn’t just call it Madden 14 to prevent any confusion for this year. Regardless Madden 25 (the 2024-25 version) will be coming out in a few months. With no set cover athlete announced, here are a few candidates who are well-deserving.
*Patrick Mahomes is deserving, but shouldn’t because he’s already been on two covers so we will exclude him from this article. My apologies, Mr. Mahomes.
Christian McCaffrey, 49ers
The 2023 Offensive Player of the Year deserves to be on the cover of Madden for the first time. He had an outstanding year, leading the league in rushing yards (1459) and 14 touchdowns. McCaffrey also had 564 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in that department.
After biting the injury bug in previous seasons, he has shown what he can do when healthy. More importantly, he has thrived in his new environment that is with the 49ers. An electric, dual-threat running back, he is one candidate to be on the cover of Madden.
Brock Purdy, 49ers
With the exception of Madden 23, the cover athletes for the past five years have always been quarterbacks. Why stop now?
Purdy, 2022’s Mr. Irrelvant, quieted the doubters this past season. McCaffrey’s teammate threw 31 touchdowns in 2023 while completing 69% of his passes and leading the team to a 12-4 record.
In the postseason, he guided the 49ers to the Super Bowl, where he went toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes and almost came out on top.
Regardless, no one expected him to play as well as he has since he was drafted. Putting him on the cover would be something he definitely deserves.
Lamar Jackson, Ravens
If Mahomes can be on the cover multiple times, so can the 2023 MVP. He led the Ravens to the AFC championship, going 13-3 in the regular season while throwing for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns. On the ground, where he is dangerous, he had 821 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
One of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the league, why not give him another cover?
Aaron Donald, Rams
The recently retired Ram had an outstanding career in the NFL. After ten years of striking fear into opposing quarterbacks, Donald called it a career one week ago. With 543 tackles and 111 sacks in 154 games, the last accomplishment that the defensive tackle has yet to accomplish is a Madden cover. Why wouldn’t he be deserving of one, given his resume?
Other Candidates
- Jared Goff, Lions
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings
- C.J. Stroud, Texans
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins
- Myles Garrett, Browns
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Featured Image: Rich Storry/Getty Images
