It’s been two years since Allen was on Madden’s cover, but his time with the team continues to make an impact today.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen continues making an impact in the world of the EA Sports Madden NFL franchise nearly two years after his cover appearance. Despite many believing that updated rosters are the only significant change, the much-maligned video game does implement new features and adds improvements with each release.
For example, when Josh Allen was involved with Madden NFL 23 he had a very specific request for Clint Oldenburg who’s the current EA Sports American Football Production Director and ratings adjuster. As Oldenburg explained, Allen apparently sought to have Madden add long snappers into the game.
One of the low key features we’re most proud of is the modern depth charts. I once made a promise to Josh Allen when he was on our cover to get long snappers in the game. It took two years, but we got it done… and so much more. #Madden26
— Clint Oldenburg (@ClintOldenburg) June 18, 2025
Bills long snapper Reid Ferguson is a fan favorite of Bills Mafia, and he’s the team’s longest-tenured player who continues to keep a very important, yet often overlooked, position on lock down. He’s among the best at his position, a trait rivaled perhaps only by his infectious personality and giving spirit. Word on the street is that he’s also throws a decent football upright, and will make you pay if you return the football in his direction on special teams.
As most things with coding for video game development go, it can and often does become tricky to add in what outsiders believe should be a simple idea. One change can inadvertently spiral into a detrimental chain-reaction that sabotages long-established code and key functions. That’s especially true when developing a game across platforms.
But Allen held enough sway with Oldenburg that the idea became a pet project, one that after two years in the making finally sees NFL longsnappers debut in Madden 26. We don’t yet have concrete ratings to share for the latest edition of Madden NFL, but Ferguson has been in Madden previously as a low-rated pseudo-tight end. It will be interesting to discover how Ferguson has been rated now, given his direct impact on the new feature, and with Oldenburg — the ratings adjuster — in charge of getting it done.
Here’s to you, Reid Ferguson — you’re in the game!