Christian McCaffrey is your new cover athlete.
When it comes to the Madden video game series, I am a complete sucker for it. Yes, many fans have been upset with the franchise’s lack of improvements and changes. But, at the end of the day, I’m grateful for the opportunity to get every year’s edition of the game. You’re talking to someone who was stuck with Madden NFL 16 for years until I was able to buy a Playstation 5 a few years ago.
But, enough about me. Many wondered who the cover athlete of Madden NFL 25 would be this season. Based off the teaser, Joe Burrow was a common prediction.
Who should be on the cover of Madden 25? 🤔
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 7, 2024
(via @EAMaddenNFL) pic.twitter.com/n47NB7di1v
But, the day finally came. It was not Joe Burrow. In fact, it wasn’t even a quarterback.
Christian McCaffrey is officially the cover athlete for Madden 25 👏 pic.twitter.com/4ED6Cbl4mn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 11, 2024
For the first time since Madden 25 (the one released in 2014 to celebrate the franchise’s 25th year of existence), a running back graced the cover of the video game.
Barry Sanders of the Detroit Lions was the cover athlete that year. Also, Adrian Peterson was the cover athlete for the game’s other version. Now, along with Peyton Hillis from Madden 12, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey graces this year’s cover as a non-QB.
Why He Was The Right Choice
The years of seeing quarterbacks (especially Patrick Mahomes) serve as the cover athlete for Madden got tiring at times. So, it was nice to see the franchise got a different route this year. They chose the right man at the right position.
McCaffrey, 28, just came off an outstanding season for the 49ers where he amassed over 2,000 scrimmage yards and scored 21 touchdowns. His 339 touches and 1,459 rushing yards both led the entire league. The 49ers offense? He was it.
After struggling with injuries for a part of his career, he has found his true self and health with San Francisco, who fell in the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs this past season.
The two-time All-Pro is one of the best offensive players in the league and is a dual-threat weapon on the ground and in the receiving game.
With that said, it is easy to see why he was selected to be the Madden NFL 25 cover athlete. Congratulations, Christian McCaffrey.
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Featured Image: Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images
