Why Saquon Barkley thinks Tom Holland deserves more credit after Madden cover recreates backward hurdle
When EA Sports announced Saquon Barkley as the cover athlete for Madden NFL 26, it wasn't just a nod to his record-setting season with the Philadelphia Eagles—it was a celebration of one of the most electrifying moments in recent NFL memory.
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Gracing the cover with his now-legendary reverse hurdle over Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones, Barkley is not just making franchise history—he's redefining it.
Saquon Barkley pulls off Spider-Man-level stunt for Madden, says Tom Holland 's job isn't as easy as it looks
The highlight in question occurred during a November 2025 game where Barkley juked past defenders before launching himself into the air backwards over Jones, leaving fans and analysts stunned. The moment, which instantly went viral, wasn't just a season highlight—it was the moment of the NFL year.
EA Sports executive Evan Dexter even called it 'one of the rare, defining moments in NFL history that would have once been described as 'something out of a video game.
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To recreate that surreal leap for the Madden 26 cover shoot, Barkley needed some technical help. Behind-the-scenes footage revealed that he was suspended by a wire harness to nail the perfect mid-air pose. While some fans debated whether the photo was 'too perfect,' Barkley didn't shy away from acknowledging the challenge of replicating his game-time heroics.
'I got to actually do the hurdle again and realized the move that I made was kind of special, because we had to strap me into a harness,' Barkley told ESPN. He even jokingly paid homage to Spider-Man actor Tom Holland: 'It definitely made me respect someone like Tom Holland who does superhero movies and is strapped in all the time. It's definitely harder than you think.'
And Barkley knows a thing or two about superheroes. After spending six years with the Giants, the 28-year-old running back made an immediate impact in his debut season with the Eagles, notching 2,504 rushing yards—including playoffs—and helping the team secure a dominant Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
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That effort broke Terrell Davis's long-standing single-season rushing record of 2,476 yards.
Despite a relatively quiet Super Bowl stat line—57 yards rushing and 40 receiving—Barkley's consistent dominance throughout the season earned him Offensive Player of the Year honors. He became the first offensive player in Eagles history to receive a 99 Madden rating and only the second Eagles player ever to appear on the Madden cover, following Donovan McNabb in 2006.
That 99 rating is especially notable, considering Barkley was given a 92 in last year's edition, ranking behind the likes of Christian McCaffrey, Nick Chubb, and Derrick Henry. This year, however, Barkley stands atop the mountain. In a classy gesture, McCaffrey himself acknowledged the passing of the torch in a video message: 'It's my honor to be passing down the Madden cover to you, keeping it within the running back family.
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While EA has teased more Madden 26 details to come on June 5, it's already clear the game will highlight Barkley's iconic leap on the standard edition, with a deluxe version showcasing a more personal portrait-style image celebrating his Super Bowl success.
For Barkley, this moment is more than just a personal accolade. 'I'm grateful to my teammates, coaches, and Eagles fans for their support,' he shared. 'I can't wait to hit the field again to give Madden players more highlight-reel moments in Madden NFL 26.'
From record-breaking performances to superhero-like stunts, Saquon Barkley's cover story is a well-earned tribute to an unforgettable season—and a reminder that sometimes, reality really is stranger than fiction.
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