For the first time since 2013, a running back will grace the cover of the Madden video game franchise after it was announced that 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey would be the cover athlete for 2025.
McCaffrey, who’s fresh off winning an Offensive Player of the Year award, becomes the first running back since Adrian Peterson over a decade ago to earn the honour.
CMC put up a prolific 2023 campaign in which he rushed for 1,459 yards, caught 67 passes for 564 yards through the air, and scored 21 total TD’s for San Francisco. For his efforts, he was rewarded with a two year, $38M extension from the club last week, and will now get to see his #23 jersey across the cover of this year’s biggest football video game release.
The 7 year NFL veteran was in the mix for league MVP throughout the season, however he had to settle for a 3rd place finish behind Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott at the NFL Honors gala last year.
“Christian McCaffrey is a human highlight reel on NFL Sundays and our players love his dynamic abilities in Madden NFL, scoring more than 450 million touchdowns with him last year and making him the most popular running back in Madden NFL 24,” said Mike Mahar, Senior Production Director, Madden NFL. “Christian’s electrifying, dynamic and physical play style perfectly represents the gameplay innovations we’re bringing to Madden NFL 25 and made him the ideal fit for this year’s cover.”
The 28 year old led the league in total touches (339), total TDs (21), and total scrimmage yards (2,023) last season, and helped guide the 49ers to the Super Bowl.
“To be on the cover of Madden NFL is a career achievement and an honor I share with all of my teammates, coaches and 49er Faithful who have helped make it possible,” said McCaffrey. “I’m pumped to get back on the field this year to give Madden players more reasons to keep scoring touchdowns with me in Madden NFL 25.”
McCaffrey and his San Francisco teammates will now enjoy some time off before training camps get underway in full later this summer. The team kicks off their preseason on August 10th with a game against the Tennessee Titans.