Washington Commanders star quarterback Jayden Daniels will not be tagged with the so-called “Madden Curse” this year but he will still feature prominently in the video game’s marketing.
Electronic Arts released the official launch trailer for Madden NFL 26 on Friday and the star-studded production will have Commanders fans extremely excited.
Daniels, who earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2024, can be seen sitting on a couch playing the game with Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
“Bro, that spin!” Jefferson exclaims as Daniels gracefully maneuvers his digital avatar around Vikings defenders while scrambling out of the pocket.
“Yeah, I’m like that,” Daniels taunts back at Jefferson.
“Bro, I’m telling you, the game’s got guys looking like cheat codes,” Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, who was chosen as the cover athlete for the game, chimes in from a barber chair while getting a trim.
Daniels had a meteoric rise to stardom during his rookie year, highlighted by a last-second hail-mary victory over the Chicago Bears in October and leading the Commanders to its first NFC Championship Game appearance since 1992. Daniels earned an 85 overall rating in the game — an 11-point boost from last year’s rating of 74 — after throwing for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns and rushing for 891 yards and 6 TDs.
The 24-year-old ranks as the tenth-best passer in the game, with individual category ratings like speed, accuracy and agility clocking in at 90 or better.
Daniels has also done an excellent job ingratiating himself with other DC sports fanbases during his first year in the DMV. He and a group of teammates attended the Washington Capitals’ Game 2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in April where the Commanders rookie met Alex Ovechkin and others in the post-game locker room. Ovechkin even gifted Daniels a signed, game-used stick.
Early access to Madden NFL 26 will become available on Aug. 7 with the official launch coming a week later on Aug. 14.
