Our favorite candidate for the Madden 25 cover from each NFL team

John Madden may be gone, but the gift of the best football video game with his namesake remains. Finding the cover athlete each year remains an underrated part of the game’s process.

EA Sports announced that they will be announcing the cover athlete on June 11 before the games launch on August 16. This made us think, who could be on the cover?

We took the best candidates from each NFL team, including the Vikings, who could be worthy of the cover. Here are our selections.

Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass to running back Michael Carter (22) against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic

Dec 17, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) runs for a touchdown as running back Bijan Robinson (7) blocks in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) runs with the ball against Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) during the second half in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Bills Ed Oliver pressures Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who has to throw the ball away.

Dec 11, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (8) recovers an onside kick against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 19, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Detroit Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs (23)during the second half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) pulls in a catch on the way to his career-first touchdown in the second quarter of the NFL Week One game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Minnesota Vikings at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. The Bengals led 14-7 at halftime.

Minnesota Vikings At Cincinnati Bengals

Dec 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates after the Browns beat the Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 20, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 4, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) is called for pass interference on Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) during fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) runs the ball after a catch while Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (25) defends during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 31, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) jogs off the field after the game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 17: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen (41) runs off the field after the game of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars blanked the Carolina Panthers 26-0. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) scores a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) throws the ball against Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 14, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 14, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) runs from Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) celebrates his first touchdown pass to Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, November 1, 2020. (ALLEN EYESTONE / THE PALM BEACH POST)

Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson makes a one-handed catch against Bills Cam Lewis to keep a late drive alive.

Oct 24, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots outside linebacker Matt Judon (9) sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs against Atlanta Falcons linebacker Rashaan Evans (54) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) celebrates a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) breaks up a pass intended for Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) during the second half during the first half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 18, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) participates in pregame warmups against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 16, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver George Pickens in action during Georgia Pro Day at William Porter Payne and Porter Otis Payne Indoor Athletic Facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (99) and defensive end Nick Bosa (97) sack Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield (not pictured) as Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus (44) defends during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis exits the field after their loss to the Houston Texans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023.

Oct 30, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) celebrates his catch in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Bills Ed Oliver pressures Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who has to throw the ball away.

Minnesota Vikings At Cincinnati Bengals

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson makes a one-handed catch against Bills Cam Lewis to keep a late drive alive.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis exits the field after their loss to the Houston Texans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023.