Tom Brady
One of two quarterbacks to share the cover on the third joint edition in franchise history.
Tom Brady is a central figure in Madden NFL 22, sharing the cover alongside Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. This marks the first joint cover since Madden NFL 20, featuring two quarterbacks who faced each other in Super Bowl LV. Announced in June 2021 as co-cover athletes for the second time each, Brady and Mahomes were celebrated for their respective achievements. The game serves as a significant milestone, released several months before the death of John Madden, the franchise's namesake.
- Role
- Quarterback
- Primary Teams
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Cover Appearances
- Madden NFL 18 (solo), Madden NFL 22 (co-cover)
- Status
- Playable in Madden NFL 22
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
In June 2021, it was confirmed that Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes would co-star on the cover of Madden NFL 22. This pairing highlighted their meeting in Super Bowl LV, where they played against one another the previous season. The source describes this as potentially the "greatest Madden cover of all time," citing Brady's status as the all-time GOAT and Mahomes as the "Kid" or "Baby GOAT." It was only the third instance in franchise history for two NFL players to share the cover, following Troy Polamalu and Larry Fitzgerald on Madden NFL 10, and Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes on Madden NFL 21. The game also introduced a "home field advantage" system where stadiums like Arrowhead Stadium could impact gameplay by preventing offensive audibles.
In Their Own Story
The announcement of Tom Brady as a co-cover athlete for Madden NFL 22 arrived in June 2021, marking his second time on the cover. The source notes that while Brady previously appeared solo on Madden NFL 18, this edition uniquely paired him with Mahomes to honor their Super Bowl LV matchup. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Stadia. It stands as the final installment released before John Madden's passing. In May 2025, it was announced that online services for this specific title would shut down on October 20, 2025. The cover art emphasized their dual legacy, with Brady recognized as the all-time greatest and Mahomes as the rising counterpart.
Reader's Guide
Tom Brady's presence in Madden NFL 22 is defined by his role as a co-cover athlete alongside Patrick Mahomes. For players engaging with the game, features like "home field advantage" allow for specific stadium effects; at Arrowhead Stadium, offensive audibles might fail to go through. The game also includes updates to Franchise mode, featuring more detailed staff management and skill tree progression systems. Commentators Brandon Gaudin and Charles Davis return from Madden NFL 17, while Alan Roach serves as the PA announcer. Post-launch content in Season 1 added college football rules to Superstar KO. Additionally, a Nickelodeon cross-promotion on January 14, 2022, introduced characters from SpongeBob SquarePants, Rugrats, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles into The Yard mode.
Did You Know?
- Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes were the first pair to share a cover after Madden NFL 21.
- Madden NFL 22 was released several months before the death of John Madden.
- Online services for Madden NFL 22 are scheduled to shut down on October 20, 2025.
- The home field advantage system at Arrowhead Stadium can prevent offensive audibles from going through.
- A Nickelodeon update on January 14, 2022, added content from SpongeBob SquarePants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to The Yard mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tom Brady in Madden NFL?
He is a legendary quarterback featured as a playable character representing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His inclusion reflects his real-world dominance and status during the game's release cycle.
Which games feature Tom Brady on the cover?
Brady appears solo on Madden NFL 18 and shares the spotlight with Patrick Mahomes for Madden NFL 22. This makes him one of the few athletes to secure multiple cover spots across different years.
What is special about the Madden NFL 22 cover?
It marks the first joint quarterback cover since Madden NFL 10, celebrating a Super Bowl LV rivalry between two icons. The release also serves as a significant milestone occurring just before John Madden passed away.
What role does Tom Brady play in the gameplay?
In Madden NFL 22, he functions as an elite quarterback with stats designed to mimic his professional performance. Players can control him to execute high-level passes and lead their team through offensive drives.
Why is Tom Brady important to the franchise legacy?
His repeated appearances cement his reputation as one of the greatest players in the series' history alongside other legends. Fans view these editions as a way to honor his career achievements within the virtual simulation.
More in Editions & Legacy
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