Saquon Barkley's Iconic Hurdle Revealed for Madden NFL 26 Cover Ahead of Release Date
Saquon Barkley's famous no-look hurdle is now immortalized on the cover of Madden NFL 26.The Philadelphia Eagles running back will grace the standard and deluxe editions of the annual video game. He'll also boast the highest rating (99 overall) in the game when it launches.EA Sports“Starring on the cover of Madden NFL 26 and being named to the Madden NFL '99 Club' are both dreams come true," Barkley said. "I'm grateful to my teammates, coaches, and Eagles fans for their support, and I can't wait to hit the field again to give Madden players more highlight-reel moments in Madden NFL 26."This is the first time the Eagles have had a representative on the Madden cover since Donovan McNabb in Madden NFL 06.Barkley had a season to remember in 2024. He became the ninth player in NFL history to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards (2,005) and was the Offensive Player of the Year.The All-Pro added another 499 yards and five touchdowns on the ground in the playoffs as the Eagles won their second Super Bowl, denying the Kansas City Chiefs' three-peat bid in the process.No moment from Barkley's campaign will be replayed more than than his 14-yard reception in the second quarter of a 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He eluded two Jaguars defenders before doing a 180 and leaping backwards over Jacksonville cornerback Jarrian Jones:"It was the best play I’ve ever seen," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said in his postgame press conference. "... But Saquon's play, what I think is so cool, is there are going to be kids all over the country and all over Philadelphia — I really think about that — trying to make that play and talking about that play and simulating that play as they play backyard football or Pee Wee Football."Conversations over the next Madden cover star might've stopped right then and there. The combination of Barkley's on-field success and the incredible image of him mid-air made for a perfect combination.EA Sports did something similar with Madden NFL 16 when it had Odell Beckham Jr. on the cover and imitating his memorable one-handed catch.
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