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EA has just announced that Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers will be the cover star of Madden 25.
This comes after another fantastic season from the 49ers running back, where he put up 2,023 yards from scrimmage and 21 total touchdowns - both of which led the entire NFL.
However, will he suffer from the 'Madden curse?'
The Madden curse is infamous in the NFL world, as whoever seems to be on the cover that year goes on to have a terrible season, and can often be the end of their peaks. For example, WR Antonio Brown was on the cover of Madden 19, but after a decent season statistically for the Steelers, his career quickly derailed.
With Christian McCaffrey being injury-free since joining the 49ers back in 2022 after years of health issues, fans across the NFL will be hoping one of the games' most electrifying talents can duck the Madden curse.
But who else has achieved this feat?
NFL players who ducked Madden curse
3. Calvin Johnson, Madden 13
One of the best wide receivers ever to play the game, Detroit Lions' Calvin Johnson broke the Madden curse back in 2012.
Despite his touchdown numbers dropping from 16 in 2011 to just 5 in 2012, he still led the league in receptions with 122 and set an NFL record 1,964 receiving yards - a record which still stands today.
2. Tom Brady, Madden 18
Despite not being able to add to his Lombardi collection during the 2017 NFL season, Tom Brady was still immune to the Madden curse.
He was named league MVP for the third and final time, leading the league in passing yards with 4,577, as well as tossing 32 touchdowns.
Brady led the Patriots to Super Bowl LII in 2018 where despite passing for over 500 yards they still lost 41-33 to Nick Foles and Philadelphia Eagles.
1. Patrick Mahomes, Madden 20
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is currently the undisputed best player in the NFL, and someone who also ducked the Madden curse.
Mahomes, who has had two appearances on Madden covers, was first a cover athlete for the game back in 2019 for Madden 20. This came after his superb first season as a starting quarterback in the NFL, passing for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns and winning league MVP in 2018.
Many expected him to fall foul to the curse for 2019 but, despite missing two games through injury, Mahomes helped the Chiefs win the Super Bowl with a victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
