Social media detectives think they’ve discovered evidence that Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley will avoid being the latest victim of the “Madden Curse” this year.

On Monday, EA Sports announced that Saquon Barkley is the cover athlete for the “Madden 26” video game. The developers decided to feature Barkley’s iconic “reverse hurdle” maneuver for the cover:

Understandably, some Eagles fans are uneasy about the Barkley Madden cover announcement. As every football fan knows, there’s a long history of NFL stars suffering a serious injury or having a down season in the same year they graced the cover of Madden.

It happened to San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey just last year. He was on the cover for Madden 25 after winning the rushing title and Offensive Player of the Year honors, but various injuries limited him to four games last season.

But some social media detectives believe Saquon Barkley is immune from being hit by the well-documented video game jinx this year, citing the success of recent Madden cover athletes:

Indeed, Josh Allen (Madden 23), Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes (Madden 22), Lamar Jackson (Madden 21) and Mahomes (Madden 20) all had productive seasons after gracing the Madden cover. Most of the Madden Curse victims came in the 2000s and early 2010s.

Saquon Barkley Looks To Build Off Historic 2024 Season

It’s hard to believe now, but some folks were critical of the Eagles’ decision to sign Saquon Barkley in 2024 free agency. One year later, Barkley has the last laugh after rushing for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns en route to Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Barkley was instrumental in the Eagles’ path to a Super Bowl 59 championship, rushing for 499 yards and five touchdowns in four playoff games.