Caleb Williams Talks 'Madden Curse' After Cover Athlete Reveal, Hypes Bears Ahead of 2026 NFL Season

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, the cover athlete on the Madden NFL 27, isn't concerned about the infamous Madden curse.

"No more of this Madden curse," Williams said Friday, per Nick Shook of NFL.com. "We're going to go out and do all the things we need to do, stay healthy, do all the things we need to do study film and be prepared each week, and go out there and handle business."

Numerous NFL stars who have landed on the Madden cover have endured rough seasons in the following year and/or suffered injuries.

Williams hopes to avoid that fate, but on paper, this could be a great year for he and the Bears. The former USC star threw for 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns while leading the Bears to an 11-win season and an NFC North title. Chicago also won a playoff game against the hated Green Bay Packers and nearly picked off the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Round.

It's an exciting time in Chicago, and Williams is focused on winning as much as possible.

"Winning. I want to win as many games as possible," Williams said when a reporter asked him what he's looking forward to the most in 2026. "I think we're building toward that."

Williams also wants there to be a "certain energy" for his team.

"I wanted to bring a certain energy back to Chicago Bear football," Williams said. "This is just a start. A big portion of it is winning games and winning the big one. Hopefully it starts this year and that trend keeps going upward from there."

Chicago's season begins Sept. 13 at the Carolina Panthers.