Bears QB Caleb Williams doesn't fear 'Madden curse,' reveals bold goal after landing cover

Williams becoming the first athlete to make consecutive appearances on the cover would be monumental. But first, he must avoid the dreaded "Madden curse."

What is the "Madden curse," and can it be avoided?

The "Madden curse" suggests that whoever appears on the game's cover will experience bad luck during the season.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley graced the cover last season after rushing for a career-high 2,005 yards in 16 regular-season games in 2024. That figure dipped last season, as he rushed for 1,140 yards in 16 contests. The Eagles also failed to repeat as Super Bowl champions, losing to the San Francisco 49ers 23-19 in the NFC wild-card round. 

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey appeared on the cover the year before Barkley. The 2023 Offensive Player of the Year battled Achilles and knee injuries throughout the 2024 season, playing in just four games and rushing for 202 yards. 

Not all players who have been named the cover athlete have suffered from the curse. Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes appeared on the "Madden NFL 20" cover. He won his first of three Super Bowls that season. Williams, who turns 25 on Nov. 18, isn't in the same tier as two-time league MVP Mahomes, but he's on the right track.

Williams went 11-6 in his first season under head coach Ben Johnson, ranking seventh in the league in passing yards (3,942) and sixth in touchdown passes (27). His accuracy (58.1 completion percentage in 2025, below the league average) needs improvement, but that could come with increased comfort in Johnson's system.

Superstitious Bears fans may look away from the "Madden NFL 27" cover. Williams, however, believes they don't need to worry about the curse. He plans to break it; we'll see if he does so by reaching his lofty goal.