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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was officially announced by EA Sports as the cover athlete for the upcoming MADDEN NFL 26 video game on Monday (June 2), which showcased his iconic backward hurdling play from the Eagles' eventual Super Bowl LIX season in 2024.
"@Saquon hurdled his way onto the cover of #Madden26 Coming 8.14.25. Pre-Order Today," the official EA Sports MADDEN NFL 26 X account wrote.
Barkley, 28, agreed to a new two-year, $41.2 million contract extension, which will make him the highest-paid running back in NFL history, in March after a career 2024 season, his first with the Eagles after spending the first seven years of his NFL career with the New York Giants.
The former Penn State standout recorded an NFL best 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns on 345 rushing attempts during the regular season and 499 yards and five touchdowns on 91 attempts during the postseason, which included 57 yards on 25 rushing attempts during the Eagles' Super Bowl LIX win against the Kansas City Chiefs. Barkley initially signed a three-year, $37.75 million contract to join the Eagles last offseaosn before the record-setting extension in March.
"Eagles are rewarding Saquon Barkley with a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension that makes him the highest-paid running back in NFL history, per sources," ESPN's Adam Schefter wrote on his X account at the time. "The deal makes Barkley the NFL’s first $20 million+ per-year running back. Barkley also has the ability to earn an additional $15 million in incentives and escalators. The deal includes $36 million fully guaranteed at signing. The Eagles are taking the rare step of extending Barkley one year into his three-year deal - and in the same league year in which they signed him to the initial contract."