Saquon named Madden NFL 26 cover athlete
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley will be on the cover of Madden NFL 26, EA Sports announced Monday.
The cover image captures Barkley's incredible backward hurdle over a defender during the Eagles' 28-23 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.
The video game franchise chose a tailback for its cover for a second consecutive year after picking Christian McCaffrey for Madden NFL 25. Barkley becomes the second Eagles player to appear on a Madden cover after former quarterback Donovan McNabb in 2006.
The Eagles also revealed that Barkley will become the team's first offensive player to join the "99 Club," referring to the highest overall rating a player can receive in the video game.
It's just the latest honor for Barkley, 28, following his sensational season. He was named Offensive Player of the Year after leading the NFL with 2,005 rushing yards and averaging an astonishing 125.3 yards per game. He racked up 499 yards and five touchdowns in the postseason during the Eagles' Super Bowl LIX title run.
Philadelphia made Barkley the league's highest-paid running back by inking him to a two-year, $41.2-million extension in March.
"I'm grateful to my teammates, coaches, and Eagles fans for their support," Barkley said, according to team reporter Chris McPherson. "I can't wait to hit the field again to give Madden players more highlight-reel moments in Madden NFL 26."
The game is scheduled for release Aug. 14.