Caleb Williams is the cover athlete for "Madden NFL 27," making the quarterback the first player in Chicago Bears history to receive that distinction.
EA Sports made the always highly anticipated announcement on Wednesday morning.
Williams is featured doing a jump pass, much like the one he used on a fourth-down completion to Rome Odunze in a 31-27 comeback victory over the rival Green Bay Packers in an NFL wild-card playoff game on Jan. 10. The image features the Chicago skyline.
"When I received the
call from Madden, it was like my childhood dream was coming true," Williams said, per ESPN. "Being on the cover of 'Madden NFL 27' is a full-circle moment.
"I grew up playing Madden and imagining what it would be like to be part of the game. I know fans are going to love what's new in this year's game, and I'm looking forward to getting my rating up to a 99 by the end of the season."
The jump-man pose on the cover was an homage to Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan, Williams said.
"That was the whole thing. I was like, everybody knows the Air Jordan, the sunrise of him doing his Air Jordan with the skyline behind him," Williams said on the "New Heights" podcast. "I was like, I want to recreate it, football, bring it back 30 years later, however many years later. We did that one and this one obviously had to go in it. This had to go in it. This was a really cool photoshoot."
Williams, 24, led Chicago to its first division title since 2018 after passing for a franchise-record 3,942 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season. He was selected by the Bears with the top overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Southern California.
"Caleb Williams is what a true face of the franchise looks like -- the culmination of many moments in the Chicago Bears' incredible history that has led them to their electric, generational quarterback," said Evan Dexter, EA Sports' vice president of franchise strategy and marketing.
"'Madden NFL 27' aims to put more of those critical moments and key management decisions, with meaningful consequences that echo across the NFL, in the hands of our players so that they can build a league that's truly their own. Just like Caleb, the future of football in 'Madden NFL 27' is thrilling and more dynamic than ever before."
"Madden NFL 27" is set for release on Aug. 13.
--Field Level Media
