Caleb Williams' Madden 27 cover makes history for NFL's Chicago Bears

NFL Madden officially announced the standout athlete that will grace this year's cover.

>EA revealed June 3 that Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams would become the first Bears player in history to represent the league on the popular video game's cover, amid rampant speculation among fans.

>"When I received the call from Madden, it was like my childhood dream was coming true. Being on the cover of Madden NFL 27 is a full circle moment," the 24-year-old quarterback said in an EA Sports 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."

>A full look at the game and its new features will be revealed June 4, on the @EAMaddenNFL YouTube channel.

>Here's when the Madden NFL 27 will be available to play, a peek at Williams' cover, and what the Jacksonville Jaguars ratings look like.

When does Madden 27 come out?EA announced that NFL fans can expect a worldwide launch of Madden 27 on Aug. 13.

Madden 27 cover features Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams

>Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was chosen after completing 58.1% of his passes for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2025. He led the Bears to an 11-6 record, an NFC North title and the team's first playoff victory since 2010, a 31-27 wild card game victory over the rival Green Bay Packers. The Packers win was the seventh comeback Williams led the Bears to in the final 2 minutes of a game in 2025.

>The game's cover art will showcase Williams' signature mid-air throw on its Standard Edition. Meanwhile, its Deluxe Edition will feature his iconic "Iceman" celebration along with custom nail art featuring the EA Sports logo.

>Williams will be designated with a 90 overall rating to start the season – as it was revealed following the cover announcement.

Who was on past Madden covers? Madden cover athletes by yearMadden first put an athlete on the cover in 2000, when Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George was chosen to front "Madden 2001." Below is a look at everyone who has earned the cover art nod since then.

Madden 2001 (2000): Eddie George, RB, Tennessee Titans • >Madden 2002 (2001): Daunte Culpepper, QB, Minnesota Vikings • >Madden 2003 (2002): Marshall Faulk, RB, St. Louis Rams • >Madden 2004 (2003): Michael Vick, QB, Atlanta Falcons • >Madden 2005 (2004): Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore Ravens • >Madden 06 (2005): Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia Eagles • >Madden 07 (2006): Shaun Alexander, RB, Seattle Seahawks • >Madden 08 (2007): Vince Young, QB, Tennessee Titans • >Madden 09 (2008): Brett Favre, QB, Green Bay Packers • >Madden 10 (2009): Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers and Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals • >Madden 11 (2010): Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints • >Madden 12 (2011): Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns • >Madden 13 (2012): Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions • >Madden 25 (2013): Barry Sanders, RB, Detroit Lions • >Madden 25 (2013): Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings • >Madden 15 (2014): Richard Sherman, CB, Seattle Seahawks • >Madden 16 (2015): Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants • >Madden 17 (2016): Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots • >Madden 18 (2017): Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots • >Madden 19 (2018): Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers • >Madden 20 (2019): Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs • >Madden 21 (2020): Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens • >Madden 22 (2021): Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs and Tom Brady, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers • >Madden 23 (2022): John Madden, Pro Football Hall of Fame coach • >Madden 24 (2023): Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills • >Madden 25 (2024): Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers • >Madden 26 (2025): Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles • >Madden 27 (2026): Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago BearsJacksonville Jaguars projected Madden 27 ratingThe Jacksonville Jaguars have an overall rating of 84 in Madden 27, according to maddenratings.com

>The site lists the Madden NFL 27 Ratings based on each player’s final Madden NFL 26 rating and will be updated as official ratings are released.

What is Trevor Lawrence Madden 27 rating?In Madden 27, Trevor Lawrence has an overall rating of 82, a general ratings average of 84, and 2,597 total attributes, according to maddenratings.com

What is Travis Hunter Madden 27 rating?In Madden 27, Travis Hunter has an overall rating of 82, a general ratings average of 88, and 3,299 total attributes, according to maddenratings.com

Where is Madden NFL 27 available to play?NFL fans can play Madden 27 on various devices and consoles. Here's where the game will be available:

EA app for Windows • >PlayStation • >Xbox • >Steam • >Epic Games • >Nintendo Switch 2This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Caleb Williams makes Madden 27 cover. Madden cover athletes by year