The Madden NFL Cover Curse: Is Joe Burrow Next?

The anticipation is building, and the speculation is rife. The latest NFL star to grace the cover of the “Madden NFL” franchise is set to be revealed this week, and fans are going wild. But has the mystery already been solved?

A glimpse into the world of Madden NFL

A recent teaser video from EA Sports has sent the internet into a frenzy. The 11-second clip shows a camera crew capturing footage of what is presumably the off-screen cover athlete. But it’s the subtle details that have got everyone talking. The audio of a quarterback’s snap cadence, “Ready! Set! Hut!”, and the orange-tinted lighting have led many to believe that Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is the chosen one.

“I’m not saying it’s Joe Burrow, but it’s Joe Burrow.” - A hopeful Bengals fan

The rumors have been circulating on social media, with even the unofficial Joe Burrow Fan Club on X, boasting over 11,000 followers, sharing the speculation. But is it just a clever marketing ploy, or is there some truth to the rumors?

Joe Burrow leading the Bengals to victory

As resident Bengals expert and CBS Sports analyst John Breech notes, a hot theory circulating among Bengals faithful is that Burrow’s recent absence from a spring practice was not due to scheduled rest, but rather a scheduled photo shoot. But others have downplayed the chances of Burrow making the cover, citing an allegedly leaked cover photo that actually belongs to a 2022 Sports Illustrated photo shoot involving the quarterback.

Josh Allen gracing the cover of Madden NFL 2024

A year after fellow AFC quarterback Josh Allen headlined the 2024 edition of the annual NFL video game, Burrow would make for an interesting choice, primarily because the former MVP candidate played just 10 games last season due to injury. Returning from a wrist issue this offseason, Burrow has been one of the league’s top pocket passers when healthy, throwing more than 30 touchdowns and guiding the Bengals to AFC Championship appearances in both 2021 and 2022.

The iconic EA Sports logo

So, will Joe Burrow be the face of Madden NFL 2025? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure - the anticipation is building, and the speculation is only adding to the excitement.

The wait is almost over