Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams is Madden cover star for Madden NFL 27

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is on the cover of Madden NFL 27, the first Bear ever to grace the primary cover of the massively popular video game.

EA Sports made the announcement Thursday morning, writing that his "playoff victory and NFL Moment of the Year — his walk-off, game-winning 46-yard touchdown pass in overtime against the Green Bay Packers — make him one of the most compelling quarterbacks to watch in 2026."

Williams is on the game's standard edition cover in his signature jump throw pose, which has been compared to Michael Jordan's iconic "jumpman" logo. Williams is also featured on the deluxe edition of Madden, featuring the iconic crossed-arms celebration pose that earned him the nickname "Iceman." The deluxe cover photo also features Williams sporting a custom nail set featuring the EA Sports logo and Bears iconography.

Being featured on the game's cover is "like my childhood dream was coming true," Williams said. "I grew up playing Madden and imagining what it would be like to be part of the game."

Williams making the Madden cover was the talk of the day at the team's OTA practices, even if head coach Ben Johnson was more focused on getting the team ready for the upcoming season.

"I saw it this morning. … No reaction," Johnson said. "He's wired the right way. He wants to be great, and when that's the case, you can coach him hard. … We meet every single day. That process has gone really, really well. We're seeing game through the same lens."

The Madden news clearly meant more to Williams' teammates, who either grew up playing or still play the game.

"I told him, 'You gotta sign mines,'" cornerback Tyrique Stevenson said. "Definitely proud of him for that, though. I'm actually honored to be on a team with somebody on the Madden cover."

"Everybody was congratulating him and stuff. You know, who doesn't want to be the cover of Madden. Hopefully next year, maybe next year the o-line gets some love," guard Jonah Jackson said.

While Williams is the first Bears player to appear on the primary cover of the video game, former Gears offensive lineman Roberto Garza was on the Spanish-language cover in 2009.

Williams and the 2025 Bears became synonymous with late-game theatrics last season, staging more than a handful of comeback victories to go with some dramatic comeback bids that came up just short — including their season-ending playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

In 17 regular-season games, Williams passed for a franchise-record 3,942 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his second season since being drafted first overall out of Southern California.st player in Bears history to earn that distinction.

Wide receiver Rome Odunze said he loved seeing Williams make the Madden cover after his spectacular 2025 season.

"The cover was dope, his little MJ kind of tribute. I know Chicagoans are happy to see that one, kind of a throwback. It was pretty cool,"

Odunze said it almost felt like he was on the cover too, since Williams' famous jump throw against the Packers was a first down pass to him.

"Yeah, I'm going to tell my kids, like, 'Yeah, he's on the cover, but he's throwing the ball.' Nah, I don't count that, I want to get on the cover my damn self," he said.

Odunze being healthy for this season would go a long way towards having a Madden cover-worthy season. He wouldn't describe his foot as back to 100% after suffering a stress fracture last year, saying he's getting used to a new normal, but he doesn't think it's anything that will inhibit him this season.

Speaking of guys coming back from injury and getting back on the field, linebacker TJ Edwards and defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo were both on the field at least briefly. There was no sign of defensive end Montez Sweat or cornerback Kyler Gordon at this voluntary practice.

Johnson sounded a little frustrated with Gordon's inability to stay healthy, saying he was hoping this spring would be a springboard after Gordon missed 14 regular season games last year with injuries, but they're still working through that, "still trying to get that availability piece going."