There are 118 days until the NFL season officially kicks off. But -- thankfully -- we only need to survive for 102 days until EA Sports' Madden 17 is released, which should hold us over during the final days of the preseason.
Now, we know a bit more about the game. On Thursday, EA Sports unveiled the cover on SportsCenter.
Congratulations to Rob Gronkowski (translation: best of luck avoiding the dreaded Madden curse).
GRONK. SPIKE.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) May 12, 2016
Introducing the cover of #Madden17! pic.twitter.com/iCZUwIAuYO
Last year, Gronk lost out to Odell Beckham Jr. for the chance to appear on the cover of Madden 16. This year's cover, however, wasn't decided by a fan vote. You can't really fault the choice, as Gronk has averaged 926 yards and nearly 11 touchdowns per season since he entered the league in 2010.
According to ESPN, Gronk is the first tight end and Patriot to appear on the cover.
When the cover was announced, Gronk called the honor a "dream come true" and a "surreal moment." He also cited the success of the past four cover stars -- Beckham, Richard Sherman, Adrian Peterson, and Calvin Johnson -- as reasons why the Madden curse has been reversed.
EA Sports also tweeted the first trailer for the game, featuring the one and only Gronk:
Your official first look at #Madden17https://t.co/WfD9D5GcTL 👀 https://t.co/Ab9jWmfqT9
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) May 12, 2016
Thanks to the Xbox store, we also got a glimpse of another screenshot involving Steelers receiver Antonio Brown.
Is Gronk the cover athlete for Madden NFL 17? https://t.co/pvyQQmPf9l Some screenshots pic.twitter.com/CpRqI3N7sI
— Steve Noah (@Steve_OS) May 12, 2016
That page has since been deleted. But, according to Polygon, the following description of the game, which mentioned a "renewed focus on Franchise mode," was briefly available:
Take your team all the way in Madden NFL 17 with a renewed focus on Franchise mode, putting you at the center of your team's Championship run. Arm your team for gridiron glory on both sides of the ball with the most balanced gameplay to date, featuring all-new ball carrier feedback cues, defender fake out mechanics and an innovative, authentic defensive AI system. Madden NFL 17 is the most complete Madden ... ever.
No word yet if the game will feature a Gronk Offseason Party mode. The game is scheduled for an Aug. 23 release.
