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With just one game left in the 2025-26 NFL season, speculation is mounting over whether the Madden NFL 27 cover star is still in with a chance of netting a Super Bowl ring.
The 'Madden Curse' remains the only thing in professional sports more reliable than an early-season collapse by the New York Jets.
This intense interest and public debate are the primary reasons we've pulled data from the Kalshi prediction market for the Madden NFL '27 cover star to find out who leads the race so far.
With the Madden NFL 27 cover acting as the ultimate digital hall of fame, industry analysts believe that EA Sports is looking for a fresh, younger face to lead the franchise into its next era.
Madden NFL 27 cover prediction markets
Key Takeaways
- Matthew Stafford took a lead in this market post-Super Bowl but Jaxon Smith-Njigba now sits atop the prediction market once more
- Running backs are enjoying a rare resurgence in popularity, with Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor nipping at the heels of the elite.
- Defensive stars and perennial NFL MVP odds favorites like Patrick Mahomes are currently languishing in the bargain bin of "unlikely" outcomes.
The frontrunners
BUY: Jaxon Smith-Njigba | WR | 'Yes' at 55¢
Seattle’s wideout capped off a historic campaign by running away with Offensive Player of the Year and a Super Bowl ring, and he’ll look to break the mold when it comes to the stigma surrounding wide receivers being prioritized by EA.
Madden 19 marked the last time a wide receiver appeared on the cover (Antonio Brown), and only four receivers have graced the cover dating back to 2010.
There's so much volatility in this market that there's value to be find in trading into a 'Yes' position on the favorite. Just be sure to keep tracking this market daily as while he's been the most consistent contender: this may move to a 'Sell' within days.
BUY: Drake Maye | QB | 'Yes' at 35¢
After finishing second in the NFL MVP voting behind Matthew Stafford, Drake Maye looks eerily like the specter of Brady in that Patriots jersey.
Could he end up being even better? That's a big projection, but Drake Maye, in his sophomore season as an NFL quarterback, has shown more athleticism than the future Hall of Famer.
Despite a disappointing loss to a dominant Seattle team in the Super Bowl, Maye has a bright future in football and will likely find himself as the face of the Madden franchise at some point in the future, even if his time isn't now.
BUY: Matthew Stafford | QB | 'Yes' at 16¢
The Los Angeles Rams gunslinger is fresh off an MVP season in which he led the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns.
Paired with star receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, ‘Stat Padford’ and the Rams will be one of the most highly used teams in next year’s edition.
Stafford was pushing Maye and JSN in a three-way dance since the last few days of January but seems to have fallen away now. There may be an opportunity for a buy-low, sell-high trade if you can time the moves right next time he plateaus.
HOLD: Bijan Robinson | RB | 'Yes' at 21¢
The great thing about Bijan Robinson is his dual-threat capabilities, resembling a Madden-style player like Michael Vick in ’04.
While most Madden users love to abandon the running attack, Robinson will be part of your game plan no matter what, as he’s one of the most elite receiving backs in football alongside Christian McCaffrey.
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