If you're not going to play Madden 22 coins defense and you don't want to cover the quarterback, I don't see why you should overlook Derrick Henry. In fact there was a possibility of a leak in March that suggested Henry as the cover's athlete. Although it's not known the likelihood that Henry will make the cover of this year's issue, it is sure that he's worthy. At times, the big-bodied running back appears to be something from a video game as He slams into defenders regularly. Henry led the league in rushing in back-to-back years and also beat every skill position player in 2020, which was the highest number of years at the scrimmage (2141). Madden NFL covers are not possible if you have 126.7 yards per game.
Although you might be laughing at the idea of one of the defensive players getting on the Madden NFL Cover, it's not unusual. Richard Sherman was the last defensive player who was the cover player for the franchise in Madden NFL 15 and prior to that we saw the likes of Troy Polamalu (shared with Larry Fitzgerald, Madden NFL 10) and Ray Lewis (Madden NFL 2005) get on there too. If you're looking at that side of the ball as a cover athlete there's a player who is more dominant than Donald who has been in the 99 Club for four straight seasons. With this in mind, the only place to climb is getting onto the right side of the ball.
After the teaser's release earlier this week, everyone believed it was the case. It's not a secret that Tom Brady is considered the greatest quarterback ever (G.O.A.T), and Patrick Mahomes is widely considered to be the next great quarterback. So, it's only logical to not only think there's a chance -- or even a likelihood that there are two sportsmen on the cover. But when EA Sports trots out an older goat and a young goat in the teaser it's hard not to think of Brady and Mahomes. Both quarterbacks are no stranger to the Madden NFL cover, with Brady playing on it for Madden NFL 18 and Mahomes following the pattern a few years after to cover Madden NFL 20.
It's admittedly somewhat boring when this is the pairing since it's as if the two were only on the cover a short time before. It is appropriate, considering Mut 22 coins played toe-to-toe during the Super Bowl last year.