As a Chicago Bears fan, it seems like all anyone talks about these days is the future new stadium, with lingering questions like “will the team stay in Illinois, or are they really headed to Indiana?” waiting to be answered.
So when the Madden NFL 27 covers featuring Caleb Williams dropped, for me, it was a break from all that chatter. One cover shows him in his signature, gravity-defying mid-throw jump against the Chicago skyline, a pose reminiscent of Air Jordan. The deluxe edition, which has caused some debate online, features Williams striking his “cold pose” (he’s the Iceman. After all, there is ice in his veins).
But what notably stands out is that his nails are painted. Being the first Bear on the main cover is a huge accomplishment. But so is unapologetically being yourself on this level. Williams’ nail art is always a talking point, fueling constant debates among football fans online, on their podcasts, etc. Yet, it’s clearly a core part of his brand. And he’s made it obvious he doesn’t care about outside opinions, not even from celebrities like Lil Wayne.
Caleb’s nail art on Madden and beyond
Do we really need a new thinkpiece every time he changes the color? Or now that his nails are front and center on the Madden 27 cover? They’re not even just a single color, either. His nail art features the Chicago flag, the Bears logo, and other creative designs. The quarterback has said numerous times that he paints them to honor his mother, a nail technician, to express himself, and to raise awareness of different social causes.
If one cover isn’t your style, just pick the other
If the deluxe edition’s cover isn’t your thing, the regular one with the Air Jordan-inspired pose is just as cool. A Chicago Bear is finally getting league-wide recognition; that’s what we should be celebrating (unless you’re a fan of those other teams in the NFC North). He holds the franchise record with 3,942 passing yards (set in 2025); the team is the 2025 NFC North Champs; they had a winning season and won their first playoff game in years. There’s so much more to be focused on with a new season on the way.
Header image credit: Instagram/@ayeeecaleb
