Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams unveiled as Madden NFL 27 cover athlete

Caleb Williams is the cover athlete for Madden NFL 27, EA Sports confirmed on Wednesday, and he's used the opportunity to recreate a version of one of sport's most iconic images.

On the Standard Edition cover of the game, the Chicago Bears' quarterback showcases a jump pass - a nod to Chicago Bulls' legend Michael Jordan's famous Jumpman silhouette.

"Everybody knows the Air Jordan, the sunrise of him doing his Air Jordan with the skyline behind him," Williams said.

"I was like, I want to recreate it," he added. "Bring it back 30 years later."

The Deluxe Version features the iconic celebration that granted Williams the "Iceman" nickname.

Madden cover a 'childhood dream' for Williams

Speaking on the New Heights podcast, Williams shared what landing on the cover meant to him.

"Childhood dream, man," he said. "Mike Vick being on the cover, John Madden covers, and these different things," he continued.

"It's probably gonna be one of the newer trophies for me, being able to put it up right next to all these other cooler trophies I have."

He also floated the idea of becoming the first back-to-back cover athlete in the game's history.

"They've never had two back to back, so let's see if we can... That's my thing. Let's see if I can go and make it back-to-back this year."

Show hosts Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce joked that Williams overall Madden rating of 90 was "low for somebody on the cover."

Williams smiled and responded, "OK, I get it, end of the year it'll be 99."

The season that earned Williams the Madden cover

Williams led the Bears to an 11-6 record and their first NFC North title since 2018 in 2025, finishing with 3,942 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, seven interceptions and 388 rushing yards.

He led the NFL with six fourth-quarter comebacks and tied for second with six game-winning drives, clearly enough for EA Sports to decide he was worthy of becoming the first Chicago Bears player to grace the cover of the iconic game.

Madden launches worldwide on Aug 13, 2026.