Saquon Barkley calls Madden NFL 26 cover 'a dream come true' after record season

Saquon Barkley, the Philadelphia Eagles' standout running back, has been honored as the cover athlete for Madden NFL 26 following a historic season. Barkley shattered the single-season rushing record with 2,504 yards, surpassing Terrell Davis's previous mark of 2,476 yards, and led the Eagles to a commanding Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

In his debut season with the Eagles after six years with the Giants, Barkley's performance earned him the prestigious Offensive Player of the Year award and a 99 rating in the game, making him the first Eagles player in two decades to join the Madden 99 Club, alongside Brian Dawkins and David Akers.

Reflecting on the Madden cover shoot, Barkley shared with ESPN the challenge of recreating his iconic hurdle move, saying, "I got to actually do the hurdle again and realized the move that I made was kind of special, because we had to strap me into a harness." He humorously added, "It definitely made me respect someone like Tom Holland who does superhero movies and is strapped in all the time. It's definitely harder than you think."

Barkley expressed his excitement on social media, calling the honor "a dream come true." His cover appearance immortalizes his gravity-defying play and cements his status as one of the NFL's elite athletes.

This milestone not only celebrates Barkley's individual achievements but also highlights his immediate impact on the Eagles franchise, marking a new chapter in his career and the team's history.

Saquon Barkley, after a record-breaking season with the Eagles including a Super Bowl win and 2,504 rushing yards, calls being on the Madden NFL 26 cover 'a dream come true.' He earned a 99 rating, becoming the Eagles' first Madden 99 Club member in 20 years.