Way Too Early Madden NFL 25 Cover Star Predictions

Super Bowl LVIII (58) has come and gone with the Kansas City Chiefs going back-to-back defeating the San Francisco 49ers once again in the championship game.

A dynasty has been established, and for Madden fans they'll know that EA Sports' premier American football franchise got the winner prediction right again (the score was off, though). It's time for hype and anticipation to build for the next NFL season and as we all know, that hype started as soon as Mecole Hardman Jr. scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime. That hype includes mock drafts, free agent predictions, trade hypothesizing and, of course, who's going to be the next cover star for Madden.

The most recent star, Josh Allen, was the fourth quarterback to feature in the last five years on the cover (counting Patrick Mahomes II twice and a gap year for honoring the late John Madden). Will that trend continue in 2024? Or is it time to award a skill position player again for the first time since Antonio Brown?

Way Too Early Madden NFL 25 Cover Star Predictions

Christian McCaffrey - RB / San Francisco 49ers

Run CMC was dominant in the Super Bowl as many expected, despite coming out on the losing end. McCaffrey had 160 all-purpose yards and a receiving touchdown on a trick play from wide receiver Jauan Jennings. He won Offensive Player of the Year honors for the first time this year, finished third in MVP voting and had 2,023 scrimmage yards with 21 total touchdowns. The 49ers haven't had a cover star in his own right in the history of the franchise, but defensive lineman Karl Wilson was pictured on the cover of Madden 95 alongside the man himself and Dallas Cowboys left tackle Erik Williams.

McCaffrey should be the odds-on favorite to be the cover star this year.

Justin Jefferson - WR / Minnesota Vikings

If EA Sports want to opt for a wide receiver this year, there's no better option than JJ. His 2023 season was tumultuous after suffering a hamstring injury, and to make matters worse his quarterback Kirk Cousins lost the rest of his season because of an achilles injury. Though, Jefferson battled back to come off of the IR and still put up an 1,000 yard season with five touchdowns. He's got 30 so far in his career eclipsing the 1,000 yard total in all four seasons since being drafted in 2020.

Many would argue Jefferson should've been the cover star over Josh Allen last year considering JJ won the OPOTY award in 2022. Like I said, if it's going to be a WR this year, it has got to be Jefferson.

Lamar Jackson - QB / Baltimore Ravens

We're nearly a year removed from all the talk, drama, and gossip about Lamar's contract and future with the Baltimore Ravens. Since signing a five-year deal worth $280 million, Jackson led the Ravens to its third AFC North title in six years since being drafted. It was the fifth time the Ravens made the playoffs with Jackson under center in six years. The Ravens came up just short against Mahomes and the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, but the talk on Lamar has settled.

He is undoubtedly a top five quarterback in the league, for many top two. He won his second MVP in six years, throwing for a career high 3,678 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 821 with five touchdowns. For comparison to his first MVP season, he might've rushed for about 400 yards more in 2019, but he threw for 551 more.

EA Sports loves giving a QB the cover, and Lamar has already been a cover star. If the decision in-house is to go with a QB again, Jackson should be the choice again.