Madden NFL 27 Cover Rumor Sparks Caleb Williams Curse Concerns
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams may have just inherited the dreaded Madden curse, as a leak shows the “Iceman” on the Madden NFL 27 cover.
Williams certainly seems deserving of the video game honor for leading the Bears to the NFL Playoffs in a season full of fun highlights and memories for the city of Chicago.
In his sophomore season for the Bears, he was seventh in the league in passing yards, throwing for 3,942, and sixth in the NFL in touchdown passes with 27. Those early improvements, along with the team’s momentum into the postseason, have many people excited.
Another aspect of Williams and the Bears’ success last season was his durability, as he generally avoided sacks and injuries. He played in all 17 of his team’s regular-season games and then in their two playoff games.
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However, the Madden curse is considered very real, with it supposedly affecting the video game cover star on the football field. Some believe Bears fans should be very concerned about their quarterback.
“Madden curse loading for Caleb… Bears fans in shambles,” a commenter wrote in the X replies.
“If there’s ever been a time for the Madden curse to hit hard it's right now,” another commenter said.
“Madden curse hitting the Indiana Bears soon I can't lose this season,” someone wrote.
“If true. We won't have to worry about the bears this year. Hell yes Madden curse,” an X commenter replied.
“Thank god keep that curse away from JSN,” someone wrote, regarding the Seattle Seahawks star.
It’s worth noting that the Williams’ Madden 27 cover is unconfirmed. First shared by Sleeper NFL on X, it features the Bears QB in his helmet and gear, striking the “Iceman” pose he’s made famous as the Chicago Bears quarterback.
In previous years, NFL stars who appeared on the Madden video game cover didn’t have the best luck during their ensuing seasons. There are multiple examples of the Madden curse hindering players’ NFL seasons and careers.
Just one day after EA’s Madden NFL 2004 hit the market, cover star Michael Vick suffered a broken leg and then missed the Atlanta Falcons’ first 11 games of the season.
After Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb landed on the Madden 06 cover, he saw his streak of five straight Pro Bowl appearances snapped, suffered a sports hernia, and got into a public feud with wide receiver Terrell Owens.
The Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander was the Madden 07 cover athlete, and fractured his foot in 2006. Once back on the field, he was unable to replicate the breakout season he had in 2005, finishing with far fewer rushing yards and touchdowns.
More recently, the Madden 25 cover star, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, struggled with injuries throughout his 2024 season and played in only four games.
Those are just a few examples of the curse hitting NFL players in the past, but ESPN has also shown recent examples of players doing fine after appearing on the cover.
They included Madden 18’s Tom Brady, who didn’t have any major injuries and put together a strong season statistically, and Madden 20’s Patrick Mahomes, who won the Super Bowl in his ensuing season.
Whether the curse is fact or fiction remains to be seen. There are high expectations for the Chicago Bears after last season’s turnaround under Caleb Williams, and anything less than another playoff run will likely be considered a major disappointment.
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This story was originally published May 30, 2026 at 3:54 PM.