Signs point to Caleb Williams as featured player in Madden 27

EA will announce the next cover athlete for the Madden video game franchise on Thursday. In Chicago.

That has fueled rampant rumors that Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will be this year's choice.

No Bears player has ever graced the cover of the game. The cover athlete nowadays isn't really on the cover because the game is more commonly downloaded directly to the console. Still, the featured player becomes the centerpiece of the startup process, with video of the player playing repeatedly for everyone preparing to play the game. chickenroadslot.pro

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley landed on the Madden 26 cover. Before that, it was 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey in Madden 25. Bills quarterback Josh Allen got the distinction in Madden 24.

There once was a supposed jinx attached to being on the Madden cover. That chatter ended after Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes followed his involvement in Madden 20, released in 2019, with a Super Bowl win to cap the 2019 season.

EA has owned the exclusive console license since NFL 2K5 created a much cheaper and superior product in 2004. And while many complain about Madden, it continues to be the only option when it comes to playing a football video game that looks and feels realistic.

The Jets signed David Bailey and Kenyon Sadiq last month and they're kicking off June by getting their third first-round pick from this year under contract.

Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports that they have agreed to terms with wide receiver Omar Cooper on a four-year rookie deal. The Jets will have an option for a fifth season as well.

The Jets traded second- and fifth-round picks to the 49ers to move back up to No. 30 in order to select Cooper late in the first round. He had 69 catches for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns while playing for Indiana last season.

Fourth-round defensive lineman Darrell Jackson is the only Jets draft pick who has not agreed to a contract yet.