The NFL may not be at the forefront of sports gamers' minds just yet, but the upcoming Madden season will be here before you know it. Some players never even get to the end of the season, as league players and MUT diehards continue to team-build throughout the year. However, for many players, the start of Madden season is officially signaled by the announcement of the annual cover star. Take no notice now, but that moment is right around the corner.

It is reasonable to anticipate that Electronic Arts will announce the cheap Madden 23 coins cover star in June, based on previous release dates. However, this means that we will have to make educated guesses until then. Every year, the athlete who earns the honor of being the Madden cover star sparks debate, superstition, and excitement among various segments of the Madden fanbase.

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In the world of sports simulations, the Madden cover has long been considered the most illustrious and talked-about piece of box art in the industry. While other video game franchises, such as FIFA and NBA 2K, have begun to invite their own cover discussions, the Madden cover has been a source of heated debate for well over two decades, and the debate is reignited every spring and summer.

When it comes to Madden, there's never a shortage of superstar athletes to appear on the cover, so a lot of the excitement comes from seeing who can correctly guess--or at the very least argue in favor of--who will be on the cover when a new Madden game launches each August. No exception exists in this year's game, which features a number of athletes who are still in their prime as well as some young players who are already making strong cases for their future Hall of Fame inductions.

We've taken all of this into consideration when compiling a list of potential Madden NFL 23 cover stars. Check it out below. Who do you think will grace the cover of the magazine this year?

During the previous season, Herbie was a force to be reckoned with, coming one historically chaotic overtime game away from making the playoffs. Herbert and the Chargers are the team to watch in the 2022 season, as free agency signings have bolstered the roster and given Herbert his best chance to win a Super Bowl in his first season with the team. EA may have anticipated Herbert's success and given him the cover in August, giving the impression that the company is full of clairvoyants come January.

QB Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos

Go Hawks! is no longer in use. In its place, Wilson, who is known for his sloganeering, has coined the phrase "Let's Ride" for his new fans and teammates in Denver. Fans adore a winner, and Wilson would bring his winning legacy and new jersey colors to the Madden cover, perhaps to suggest that the series has been given a makeover similar to his own. While Wilson's locker room presence has been rumored to be a little annoying over the years, he is still a fan favorite.

Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase

When Ja'Marr Chase finishes one of the greatest wideout campaigns in NFL history, he has two things that EA loves to build around for its Madden cover art: a player with high potential and someone who hasn't reached their figurative ceiling yet. Ja'Marr Chase has two things that EA loves to build around for its Madden cover art. The incredible season that Chase had last year will almost certainly be even better in 2022, as Cincy's revamped offensive line will give Chase more time to develop game-breaking plays with his young quarterback.

QB Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills

1. Josh Allen's performance in his final game of the year 2021 cannot be overstated in any way

2. He was virtually flawless, outdueling Patrick Mahomes in an overtime game in which many fans cried foul when the rules didn't allow Allen to respond to the Chiefs' first-drive touchdown that ended the game in overtime

3. Allen was virtually flawless in his outdueling of Mahomes

4. A chip on his shoulder will accompany him into the year 2022, and EA may find it appealing to market the game in this manner

5. Take it, and put your best foot forward

6. A slogan is very important to the company, and something like this would be appropriate for an Allen-led marketing campaign

    

Aaron Donald, Rams defensive lineman

Another possibility for EA to consider for its cover star is, of course, one of the star players on the team that will be defending its championship this autumn. Aaron Donald has never appeared on the Madden cover before, despite being the best defensive player in the league for more than a decade. This is the first time that has happened. Is this the year, or is it something else? Donald contemplated retirement during the offseason, which means the 2022 season could be his final on the field and his first on the Madden NFL 2022 season cover.

QB Joe Burrow of the Bengals

Everyone adores a quarterback. So much so that EA chose not one, but two quarterbacks to appear on the cover of Madden 22, despite the fact that they had each appeared on the Madden cover in previous editions of the game. If EA wants to highlight an up-and-coming quarterback for buy Madden 23 coins, as it has done in recent years (Brady notwithstanding), Burrow is as good a choice as any to make. As for his style, he's flashy in the way that EA prefers, lending an air of swagger both on the field and on the game's box art.

Cooper Kupp, Rams wide receiver

In comparison to Burrow, Cooper Kupp isn't as flashy as the former, but if EA wants to capitalize on his quiet confidence and unrivaled work ethic, the reigning Super Bowl MVP is an excellent choice. This one may work particularly well if this year's Madden focuses heavily on improving wideout mechanics, as the publisher has shown a preference in the past for featuring a player who corresponds to a major new feature in the game.

Derrick Henry (Titans running back)

In addition to missing out on an excellent opportunity to feature #22 on the cover of Madden 22, Derrick Henry's season would have provided more fodder for the Madden Curse crowd after he was injured midway through the season and looked ineffective in his lone postseason game following the injury. However, few doubt Henry's superhuman ability to keep pounding the pavement, so he should be able to return this season and demonstrate that he is still the best runningback in the NFL.