Jul 24, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) looks on during training camp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Eagles’ Saquon Barkley, Lane Johnson lead Madden ’99 Club’

Cover star Saquon Barkley and Philadelphia Eagles teammate Lane Johnson lead the seven players who received 99 ratings for the “Madden NFL 26” video game, EA Sports announced Tuesday.

Joining the Super Bowl LIX champion running back and right tackle in the prestigious “99 Club” are reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and fellow quarterback Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens, wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals and Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, and defensive end Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns.

The selections marked a changing of the guard, as none of the seven members received 99 ratings in the “Madden NFL 25” edition.

Jefferson previously made the cut in 2024, as did Garrett in 2023. Allen (2024) and Jackson (2021) previously were featured on the Madden cover.

–Field Level Media

Nov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) leaps with the ball over Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Saquon Barkley hurdles way on to ‘Madden 26’ cover

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley vaulted onto the cover of the “Madden 26” video game.

EA Sports released a cover image on social media Monday featuring the Super Bowl champion hurdling a defender.

It pays homage to a viral highlight from Barkley’s remarkable 2024 season in a Week 9 win against Jacksonville.

Barkley leapt over Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones with an acrobatic, backward hurdle on a 14-yard reception.

“It was the best play I’ve ever seen,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said afterward, echoing the thoughts of many.

“Saquon you’re INSANNE!!” basketball great LeBron James posted on social media.

Barkley finished that game with 159 rushing yards en route to an NFL-leading 2,005 yards on the ground. The NFL Offensive Player of the Year added 499 more rushing yards in the postseason as Philadelphia ultimately upended the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX.

Barkley, 28, is the first Eagles player featured on the cover of the popular franchise since quarterback Donovan McNabb on “Madden NFL 06.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Jesse Madden (42) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Commanders hire John Madden’s grandson as offensive assistant

Jesse Madden was named offensive quality control coach of the Washington Commanders, following in the footsteps of his Hall of Fame grandfather, John Madden.

Jesse Madden was a backup safety on the Michigan roster for the 2024 national championship and undefeated season. He moved from quarterback after his freshman season to pursue more playing time. He was recognized as a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.

John Madden, who coached the Oakland Raiders and rose to generational prominence as a high-energy football broadcaster and guiding force behind the Madden Football video game, died in 2021 while Jesse was on the Wolverines’ roster.

“His grandson Jesse has been a major contributor to our team and we know his grandfather would be proud,” then-Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said at the time.

Jesse Madden joins the staff of Dan Quinn in Washington and will report to offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, previously head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

Jesse Madden’s career path would not be far from prominent NFL coaches of his era.

New Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson broke into the league as a quality control coach with the Detroit Lions in 2019. Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni got his NFL break with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009 as quality control coach reporting to head coach Todd Haley. San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was a quality control coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004. Part of his job was to use the design program SuperPaint to draw plays designed by head coach Jon Gruden.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay was a quality control coach for the Florida Tuskers of the UFL where he worked for Jay Gruden. Shanahan and McVay both were assistant coaches in Washington before they moved into marquee NFL coaching roles.

McVay’s grandfather was John McVay, who was head coach of the New York Giants during John Madden’s tenure in Oakland and later a prominent figure in the Bay Area as general manager of the 49ers.

–Field Level Media

Jan 29, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts before the start of the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Madden simulation predicts Eagles over Chiefs in Super Bowl

The Madden NFL 23 video game is predicting a change to the recent run of competitive Super Bowls — the official simulation plays out with the Philadelphia Eagles beating the Kansas City Chiefs 31-17 in Super Bowl LVII.

The simulation game was tied 10-10 at the half. However, the Eagles pulled away in the second half thanks to two third-quarter touchdown passes from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts — a 26-yard TD pass to A.J. Brown and a 63-yarder to DeVonta Smith.

Brown was the game’s leading receiver, grabbing eight catches for 114 yards and a touchdown, while Smith had six catches for 92 yards and a touchdown.

Eagles running back Miles Sanders had 15 carries for 78 yards and the Eagles’ last touchdown.

Hurts was sacked twice by Kansas City defensive tackle Chris Jones but his offensive performance — including a 9-yard run for a touchdown in the first quarter — was enough to earn the game’s Most Valuable Player honors. He completed 26 of 33 passes for 282 yards and no interceptions.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes didn’t fare as well in the simulation. He opened the game with a 4-yard TD pass to tight end Travis Kelce, but that was the only one for Mahomes.

Mahomes ultimately completed 29 of 39 passes for 249 yards, the one touchdown and an interception by Eagles safety C.J Gardner-Johnson in the busy third quarter. He was also sacked twice by Philadelphia edge rusher Haason Reddick.

The Eagles were able to contain Kelce, who had six catches for 65 yards and the opening touchdown. The Chiefs leading receiver was Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who had seven catches for 89 yards.

Chiefs fans may take some solace in the knowledge that the Madden simulation game has gotten four of the past five Super Bowls wrong. The last one the Madden simulation correctly predicted was Super Bowl LIV, when it rightly had the Chiefs beating the San Francisco 49ers. That game also correctly predicted that Mahomes would be the MVP.

Stay tuned for the actual Super Bowl LVII on Sunday in Glendale, Ariz.

–Field Level Media

Among the sports memorabilia at the Timeline sale is a John Madden autographed Ramada advertisement.

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Legendary coach, broadcaster John Madden dies at 85

Hall of Fame coach and broadcasting icon John Madden died on Tuesday, according to the NFL. He was 85.

The NFL said Madden died unexpectedly.

“On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our condolences to Virginia, Mike, Joe and their families,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, referring to Madden’s wife and two sons. “We all know him as the Hall of Fame coach of the Oakland Raiders and broadcaster who worked for every major network, but more than anything, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

“Nobody loved football more than Coach. He was football. He was an incredible sounding board to me and so many others. There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today.”

Madden won Super Bowl XI with the then-Oakland Raiders when they rolled through the 1976 regular season with a 13-1 record. The team won three postseason games, including a convincing 32-14 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the Super Bowl.

Madden went 103-32-7 in 10 seasons as Raiders coach from 1969-78.

He became a television analyst the following season and won 16 Emmy awards during a 30-year career. Madden had stints at CBS (1979-93), Fox (1994-2001), ABC (2002-05) and NBC (2006-08).

Madden was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Madden also was heavily involved in the Madden football video games, published by EA Sports since 1988.

The NFL said it will announce memorial service information when it is available.

–Field Level Media

Feb 7, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) greets Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium.  Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes share Madden ’22 cover

After fighting it out in the Super Bowl, Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes are sharing the cover for Madden ’22.

The video game released in August is one of the most popular sports titles with a segment of fans who admittedly take a day off for the on-sale date.

“Whenever you first get on the cover, that’s a special moment,” Mahomes told ESPN. “So to be on it again, twice, with an all-time great like Tom Brady, it’s a special moment that I’m glad that I’m able to do so soon after I had done it the first time.

“I’ll be able to have it for the rest of my life and be able to show my kids and my kids’ kids that I was on it two times.”

Brady and Mahomes are each on the cover for the second time, with Brady (then with the New England Patriots) gracing Madden ’18 and Mahomes on Madden ’20.

Brady was MVP of Super Bowl LV as his Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in February. Mahomes led the Chiefs to a win in the NFL title game the previous season and won MVP honors.

The last time two players shared the cover was Madden ’10 with Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.

Brady debuted in Madden ’01 with a player rating of 57, but not by name. He was listed as QB No. 12 and fourth-string with the Patriots.

Mahomes was a member of the “99 Club” last year, a nod to the near-perfect rating given to only a select class of NFL players. He has been the top-rated quarterback in Madden the past two years.

–Field Level Media

The hands of an esport gamer clutching the controler at Encore Esports Gaming Lounge in New Rochelle on Thursday, December 20, 2018. 

E Sports

Ravens unveil esports league

The Baltimore Ravens are making an ambitious push into the world of esports.

The NFL team announced Monday the creation of the Ravens Gaming League, featuring public tournaments and activities, as well as a multi-year affiliation with Esports Entertainment Group (EEG).

The Ravens Gaming League will start with a Fortnite event set to run June 25-27. A Madden NFL 22 event will follow later in the summer, with the dates yet to be revealed.

Ravens senior vice president of marketing Brad Downs said in a statement, “We are excited to launch this new initiative and explore the benefits for our fans. The gaming and esports industry offer unique opportunities to engage with our fan base, in addition to Ravens players who have shown interest in gaming and esports.”

The Ravens Gaming League will use EEG’s Esports Gaming League (EGL) platform.

EGL chief executive officer Grant Johnson added in a statement, “Our esports tournament platform continues to gain strong traction among top-tier professional sports franchises. We are delighted to add the Ravens as our first NFL partner to go live on our platform.”

Ravens fullback/defensive lineman Patrick Ricard said in a video posted on the team’s Twitter feed, “You’ll have the chance to win cash prizes, autographed merch and the opportunity to test your skills against me.”

Registration is open for the Fortnite competition, for which the champion will receive $500 plus a Ravens “VIP home game experience” featuring a hotel stay, transportation to the game, team merchandise and the chance to compete against a Ravens player.

Details can be found at BaltimoreRavens.com/gaming.

–Field Level Media

Nov 15, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (center) catches a Hail Mary pass for a touchdown in the closing seconds of the game against the Buffalo Bills at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Breen-USA TODAY NETWORK

Cardinals’ Hopkins earns perfect 99 in Madden 21

DeAndre Hopkins is having a good week.

Four days after he caught a Hail Mary touchdown pass to lead the Arizona Cardinals to a 32-30 win over the Buffalo Bills, the wide receiver had his rating in the Madden NFL 21 games raised to a perfect 99 on Thursday.

Hopkins previously had a 98 rating.

EA Sports’ Madden Twitter account posted, using Hopkins’ nickname, “Nuk coming down with that #99Club Chain?? Congrats @DeAndreHopkins @AZCardinals #Madden21”

The Cardinals tweeted, “Should’ve been there all along, but @DeAndreHopkins is the newest member of the #Madden21 99 Club.”

Hopkins had a 99 Madden rating last year. This year, he joins just six other players in the club: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas, New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore and Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald.

One downside for Hopkins on Thursday: His Cardinals lost 28-21 to the Seattle Seahawks as he was held to five catches for 51 yards and no touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Nov 15, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (center) catches a Hail Mary pass for a touchdown in the closing seconds of the game against the Buffalo Bills at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Breen-USA TODAY NETWORK

Cardinals’ Hopkins earns perfect 99 in Madden 21

DeAndre Hopkins is having a good week.

Four days after he caught a Hail Mary touchdown pass to lead the Arizona Cardinals to a 32-30 win over the Buffalo Bills, the wide receiver had his rating in the Madden NFL 21 games raised to a perfect 99 on Thursday.

Hopkins previously had a 98 rating.

EA Sports’ Madden Twitter account posted, using Hopkins’ nickname, “Nuk coming down with that #99Club Chain?? Congrats @DeAndreHopkins @AZCardinals #Madden21”

The Cardinals tweeted, “Should’ve been there all along, but @DeAndreHopkins is the newest member of the #Madden21 99 Club.”

Hopkins had a 99 Madden rating last year. This year, he joins just six other players in the club: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas, New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore and Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald.

One downside for Hopkins on Thursday: His Cardinals lost 28-21 to the Seattle Seahawks as he was held to five catches for 51 yards and no touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Nov 15, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (center) catches a Hail Mary pass for a touchdown in the closing seconds of the game against the Buffalo Bills at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Breen-USA TODAY NETWORK

Cardinals’ Hopkins earns perfect 99 in Madden 21

DeAndre Hopkins is having a good week.

Four days after he caught a Hail Mary touchdown pass to lead the Arizona Cardinals to a 32-30 win over the Buffalo Bills, the wide receiver had his rating in the Madden NFL 21 games raised to a perfect 99 on Thursday.

Hopkins previously had a 98 rating.

EA Sports’ Madden Twitter account posted, using Hopkins’ nickname, “Nuk coming down with that #99Club Chain?? Congrats @DeAndreHopkins @AZCardinals #Madden21”

The Cardinals tweeted, “Should’ve been there all along, but @DeAndreHopkins is the newest member of the #Madden21 99 Club.”

Hopkins had a 99 Madden rating last year. This year, he joins just six other players in the club: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas, New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore and Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald.

One downside for Hopkins on Thursday: His Cardinals lost 28-21 to the Seattle Seahawks as he was held to five catches for 51 yards and no touchdowns.

–Field Level Media