After shattering franchise records, the Chicago phenom becomes the first Bear to grace the Madden cover. While history warns of a looming jinx, Smith remains unfazed by superstition.
The Chicago Bears got a wonderful year out of quarterback Caleb Williams in 2025.
Williams broke the record for single-season passing yards, surpassing the previous record of Erik Kramer (3,838) in 1995. Williams finished the season with 3,942 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
He threw for 401 more passing yards and seven more touchdowns than he did in his rookie year, although he did have one more interception.
The young quarterback added another feat this offseason, becoming the first Bears player to grace the cover of a Madden game. It's wild to think that an NFL franchise as old as the Bears has never had a player on the cover.
With the cover has come a curse over the years.
You don't have to look very far back, as it affected Christian McCaffrey when he was on the cover of Madden 25. That game came out ahead of the 2024 season, and McCaffrey played only four games for the San Francisco 49ers due to injury.
The curse has claimed other players, such as Donovan McNabb, Ray Lewis, and Marshall Faulk, in the past.
On a recent edition of ESPN's "First Take," Stephen A. Smith was asked if he thought Williams would be the latest victim. Although Michael Wilbon was concerned, Smith wasn't worried in the slightest.
"You got a new coach, came there first year," Smith said. "Y'all balling. Y'all had a heartbeat. Y'all had a chance to be in the NFC Championship Game. They had a chance. This is the best quarterback you've ever had. I'm gonna tell you right now, he's the best quarterback you've ever had, okay? This brother's special. And because he's on the cover of Madden, really? That makes you nervous? Oh, please. Caleb Williams is gonna be just fine, brother. He'll be just fine."
Williams already dodged a sophomore slump last season. What's to say he can't avoid the Madden curse as well?
There are numbers associated with quarterbacks who have been on the cover, however. Compared to their previous year, quarterbacks who have been on the cover have thrown fewer touchdowns, fewer passing yards, more interceptions, and haven't made it very far into the playoffs.
Williams and the Bears have defied the odds before, and the curse doesn't always have a perfect hit rate.
Drew Brees was unaffected by the curse after appearing on Madden 2011. He didn't suffer any injuries and led the New Orleans Saints to the playoffs in the 2010 season. They did lose to the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs that year, but Brees is one example of someone it didn't touch.
Will the "Iceman" be different? Who knows.
It's not wise to bet against Williams, that's for sure.
