Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has been chosen as the featured athlete for “Madden NFL 27,” marking the first time in franchise history that a Bears player has earned this honor.
EA Sports revealed the much-awaited selection on Wednesday morning.
The cover showcases Williams performing a jumping pass, similar to his fourth-down throw to Rome Odunze during Chicago’s 31-27 wild-card playoff comeback against the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 10. The Chicago skyline serves as the backdrop for the image.
“When I received the call from Madden, it was like my childhood dream was coming true,” Williams said, per ESPN. “Being on the cover of ‘Madden NFL 27’ is a full-circle moment.
“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.”
Williams explained that his airborne stance on the cover pays tribute to Chicago Bulls icon Michael Jordan.
“That was the whole thing. I was like, everybody knows the Air Jordan, the sunrise of him doing his Air Jordan with the skyline behind him,” Williams said on the “New Heights” podcast. “I was like, I want to recreate it, football, bring it back 30 years later, however many years later. We did that one and this one obviously had to go in it. This had to go in it. This was a really cool photoshoot.”
The 24-year-old Williams guided Chicago to its first division championship since 2018 while throwing for a team-record 3,942 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions during the previous season. Chicago selected him as the first overall choice in the 2024 NFL Draft from Southern California.
“Caleb Williams is what a true face of the franchise looks like — the culmination of many moments in the Chicago Bears’ incredible history that has led them to their electric, generational quarterback,” said Evan Dexter, EA Sports’ vice president of franchise strategy and marketing.
“‘Madden NFL 27’ aims to put more of those critical moments and key management decisions, with meaningful consequences that echo across the NFL, in the hands of our players so that they can build a league that’s truly their own. Just like Caleb, the future of football in ‘Madden NFL 27’ is thrilling and more dynamic than ever before.”
“Madden NFL 27” launches on Aug. 13.
