Tim Weaver
June 9, 2024 6:25 am PT
John Madden may be gone, but the gift of the best football video game with his namesake remains. Finding the cover athlete each year remains an underrated part of the game’s process.
EA Sports announced that they will be announcing the cover athlete on June 11 before the games launch on August 16. This made us think, who could be on the cover?
We took the best candidates from each NFL team, including the Seahawks, who could be worthy of the cover. Here are our selections.
Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray
Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass to running back Michael Carter (22) against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic
Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson
Dec 17, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) runs for a touchdown as running back Bijan Robinson (7) blocks in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Hamilton
Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) runs with the ball against Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) during the second half in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills: Ed Oliver
Bills Ed Oliver pressures Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who has to throw the ball away.
Carolina Panthers: Jaycee Horn
Dec 11, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (8) recovers an onside kick against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bears: D.J. Moore
Nov 19, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Detroit Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs (23)during the second half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Bengals: Ja'Marr Chase
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) pulls in a catch on the way to his career-first touchdown in the second quarter of the NFL Week One game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Minnesota Vikings at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. The Bengals led 14-7 at halftime.
Minnesota Vikings At Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett
Dec 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates after the Browns beat the Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys: Micah Parsons
Nov 20, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain II
Dec 4, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) is called for pass interference on Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) during fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions: Amon-Ra St. Brown
Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) runs the ball after a catch while Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (25) defends during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud
Dec 31, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) jogs off the field after the game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Indianapolis Colts: Jonathan Taylor
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 17: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
Jacksonville Jaguars: Josh Allen
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen (41) runs off the field after the game of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars blanked the Carolina Panthers 26-0. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Kansas City Chiefs: Travis Kelce
Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) scores a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Las Vegas Raiders: Maxx Crosby
Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) throws the ball against Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert
Nov 14, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Rams: Puka Nacua
Jan 14, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) runs from Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) celebrates his first touchdown pass to Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, November 1, 2020. (ALLEN EYESTONE / THE PALM BEACH POST)
Minnesota Vikings: Justin Jefferson
Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson makes a one-handed catch against Bills Cam Lewis to keep a late drive alive.
New England Patriots: Matthew Judon
Oct 24, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots outside linebacker Matt Judon (9) sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Saints: Alvin Kamara
Sep 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs against Atlanta Falcons linebacker Rashaan Evans (54) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
New York Giants: Dexter Lawrence
Dec 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) celebrates a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets: Sauce Gardner
Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) breaks up a pass intended for Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) during the second half during the first half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Hurts
Dec 18, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) participates in pregame warmups against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers: George Pickens
Mar 16, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver George Pickens in action during Georgia Pro Day at William Porter Payne and Porter Otis Payne Indoor Athletic Facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa
Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (99) and defensive end Nick Bosa (97) sack Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Seahawks: D.K. Metcalf
Nov 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans
Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield (not pictured) as Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus (44) defends during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee Titans: Will Levis
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis exits the field after their loss to the Houston Texans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023.
Washington Commanders: Terry McLaurin
Oct 30, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) celebrates his catch in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports