"They gotta pay me for it" - Jarrian Jones jokes about missed opportunity to be on Madden 26 cover with Saquon Barkley

Saquon Barkley and Jarrian Jones were involved in one of the biggest plays of the 2024 season. Saquon Barkley juked a Jacksonville Jaguars defender before backwards hurdling over Jones in a Week 9 game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars.

The play produced an iconic image that ended up being the Madden 26 cover. However, the game developers used a blacked-out helmet rather than Jones' Jaguars helmet. Following the cover star announcement, Jones was asked about his opinion on the now iconic cover. The Jaguars CB said:

"It's kinda hard for real, I mean I've seen it on Instagram. I’ve seen it and I was like damn they ain't put my number on there. Like, they ain't put my... You see what I'm saying? Like, the play was fire to me. I don't really have no... Everybody dealing with me like, hey, I'm supposed be mad or something. Like, I don't give a damn."

Jarrian Jones continued:

"I mean, they gotta pay me for it. That's why I say that. They have to pay me for it, I don't really care. I don't really play Madden like that anyway."

Saquon Barkley is making his debut as a Madden NFL cover star in this year's iteration. Last year, San Francisco 49ers superstar Christian McCaffrey was featured, fresh off his own Offensive Player of the Year campaign.

Fans of Saquon Barkley will hope that the dreaded "Madden Curse" does not befall him in his second season with the Philadelphia Eagles.

What's next for Jarrian Jones and Saquon Barkley?

Jarrian Jones had a decent rookie campaign with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Florida State product posted a stat line of 30 solo tackles, two sacks, one interception, and eight pass deflections in 17 games. He was a bright spot in an otherwise thoroughly disappointing season for the Jaguars.

Jarrian Jones will look to put up better numbers in his sophomore campaign and potentially help his side back to the playoffs. He's well-positioned to play a larger role in Liam Coen's side.

Saquon Barkley had a sensational first season with the Philadelphia Eagles. The former New York Giants favorite rushed for over 2,000 yards and was the runaway winner of the Offensive Player of the Year Award. Barkley capped off his sensational debut season with his first Super Bowl ring.

Saquon Barkley enters the 2025 season with loads of pressure to put up similar or even better numbers than the previous campaign. Eagles fans will hope that Nick Sirianni can get even more creative with his play calling and unlock a new gear in the perennial Pro Bowler.