Madden 26 cover: From Saquon Barkley to Josh Allen, NFL rookies drop their favorite picks [WATCH] 

The EA Sports Madden franchise is one of the most popular video game series in the world. The game generally features one NFL superstar on the front cover, something that has been viewed as both a positive and a negative for fans.

As a positive, the NFL player chosen to be on the cover has proven to be one of the very best in the sport. On the flip side, many fans have started the conspiracy theory that the individual on the front cover will have a bad following season, either injury or performance-wise. Although not every star has suffered a setback the season following being on the cover, this has become known as the 'Madden Curse'.

The last five versions of the game have featured San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, John Madden, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and finally Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

On Friday, the National Football League released a video on Instagram, where a bunch of rookie players had their say as to who they think should be on the cover of the iconic video game.

Who do some NFL rookies think should be on the cover of Madden 26?

Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts and RB Saquon Barkley were the clear favorites to be on the cover of the game after their amazing 2024 campaign that culminated in a Super Bowl Championship. Other votes went to MVP Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett.

"I'm gonna say Jalen Hurts." Arizona Cardinals Will Johnson said.

"Jalen Hurts." New York Giants Jaxson Dart said.

"I would say like, it's gonna be like Saquon or Jalen Hurts." Chicago Bears Colston Loveland said.

"Either Jalen Hurts or Saquon Barkley." Las Vegas Raiders Ashton Jeanty said.

"I think Saquon should be on there, Or Jalen Hurts." Cleveland Browns Quinshon Judkins said.

"Jalen Hurts or Saquon Barkley." Carolina Panthers Tetairoa McMillan said.

"Saquon, representative of the Super Bowl." Seattle Seahawks Jalen Milroe said.

"Probably Josh Allen." Miami Dolphins Kenneth Grant said.

"We could probably give it to Josh Allen, he was MVP." New York Giants Abdul Carter said.

"Josh Allen," New Orleans Saints Kelvin Banks Jr. said.

"I think I should be on the cover of Madden 26." Baltimore Ravens Mike Green joked.

"I want to switch it up. Let's go like Myles Garrett." Atlanta Falcons Jalon Walker said.

"I think they need to show the o-line some love, put the Eagles o-line." New England Patriots Will Campbell said.

"Oh, that's easy. Lamar Jackson." Chicago Bears Shemar Turner wrote.