NFL: 5 possible cover athletes for the new Backyard Football game

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As a child of the 2000s, I can’t help but feel a surge of nostalgia when thinking about Backyard Football. The game was a staple of my childhood, and I spent countless hours playing it with my friends. Now that I’m older, I find myself yearning for those simple days. If they were to make a new version of the game, there are certain players who would undoubtedly make it more exciting than ever.

The “rain delay” has been extended for quite some time now. Some argue it began in 2015, while others point to 2010 as the starting point. However, the wait is finally over, as Backyard Sports is making its triumphant return! Playground Productions has officially announced their exhilarating revival of this beloved video game series from the 2000s, which captured the hearts of countless kids during that era.

Originating from Humongous Entertainment, the renowned series spanned over a period of 14 years, from 1997 to 2010, with as many as 36 distinct games in its portfolio (including two mobile apps launched in 2015). These games encompassed various sports such as baseball, soccer, football, basketball, hockey, and even skateboarding.

1999 saw the debut of the initial installment in the Backyard Football series, with football being one of the two sports highlighted in the pair of editions released in 2010. After this, there was a prolonged break in the series.

The main interest among fans revolves around Backyard Baseball following the announcement of the franchise’s comeback. However, it’s worth noting that football, as well as soccer, basketball, and hockey, are also mentioned on the official Instagram bio for Backyard Sports.

If it’s true that Backyard Football is coming back as one of the upcoming titles, who do you think will grace its cover among the current NFL players?

Previous featured athletes encompass names like Steve Young, Drew Bledsoe, Donovan McNabb, Jeff Garcia, Daunte Culpepper, Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, Frank Gore, Eli Manning, Kurt Warner, Peyton Manning, Adrian Peterson, and Jason Witten. These individuals have graced our cover in the past.

Here are five strong possibilities.

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

In both their postseason encounters, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots didn’t hand over the mantle to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. However, it can be clearly seen that the leadership and dominance in NFL football has transitioned from Tom Brady to Patrick Mahomes, and from the New England Patriots to the Kansas City Chiefs.

I’ve just made history as a gamer, leading my team to not one but two consecutive Super Bowl victories – something no quarterback has achieved in two decades, not even Brady himself. This incredible feat comes just a year after I became the first MVP in this millennium to win the Super Bowl in the same season.

Since assuming the role from Alex Smith, number 15 has attended all four of the latest Super Bowls and played in six consecutive AFC Championship Games. Consequently, he is the quarterback who faces pressure every new season, as a bullseye has been drawn on his back.

1. He’s the standard all other quarterbacks are measured against, and it seems this won’t be altering any time soon. For over two and a half years now, he hasn’t lost a significant game, and every other quarterback in North America is striving to outdo him.

He is well-known as the representative figure of the NFL, making him a strong contender for the role of the upcoming Backyard Football game‘s cover athlete.

Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Over the past few years, when it comes to regular-season achievements, Lamar Jackson has been just slightly below Patrick Mahomes in performance.

This player is about to embark on his seventh year in the league, and despite encountering several injuries, he’s managed to secure numerous MVP titles. Last season, he missed becoming the first double unanimous MVP by a single vote.

In various seasons, Jackson has significantly transformed the role of a quarterback by running over a thousand yards on the field.

Similar to many top-tier quarterbacks in the AFC other than Mahomes, he’s yet to conquer the ultimate challenge by winning the Super Bowl. His most significant attempt, as you may recall, resulted in a defeat against Mahomes and the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game last season.

But ring or no ring, an offense with Lamar Jackson and Pablo Sanchez in a Backyard Football game would simply be a cheat code.

Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers

When it comes to Pablo Sanchez, Christian McCaffrey is like the multi-talented NFL version of the legendary character from Backyard Sports.

Ever since acquiring McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers midway through the 2023 season, the San Francisco 49ers have emerged as one of the top teams in the NFL, although they’re yet to claim their sixth Super Bowl title.

Although he recently graced the cover of Madden NFL 24, it’s worth noting that players like Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson were once Madden cover stars too. This previous experience doesn’t exclude them from appearing on the cover of Backyard Football as well.

Last year, McCaffrey had an impressive argument for being the NFL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). However, the fact that the MVP title is often given to quarterbacks and no running back has won it since Adrian Peterson, who was famously known as a Backyard Football star over a decade ago, might have been the reason he didn’t win.

McCaffrey might just be the best player in the NFL – and perhaps the virtual world.

Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

There are plenty of wide receivers who could have been included here, including but not limited to Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson, Dallas Cowboys star CeeDee Lamb, and Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase. 

This indicates that Tyreek Hill, the Miami Dolphins’ standout wide receiver, was chosen as the world’s best player in this year’s NFL Top 100 rankings. Notably, this is the first time since 2019 that a quarterback hasn’t claimed the top spot, with Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle holding it during that period.

In 13 previous editions of the annual list, no wide receiver had ever landed at No. 1.

After being moved from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Dolphins in 2022, Hill has racked up two consecutive seasons with over 119 receptions and more than 1,700 yards. His impressive performances significantly contributed to Tua Tagovailoa’s stellar season-ending performance as the league’s top passer, a significant improvement from his position as the highest-rated passer in the previous year.

With Hill on board, Tagovailoa transformed from a struggling rookie quarterback into a Pro Bowl contender, and many a Backyard Kid would jump at the chance to have “Cheetah” lead their offensive charge too.

T.J. Watt, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

In any given game where the Black and Gold team defends, it’s likely that T.J. Watt is the top performer on the field. This has been true for quite some time now, essentially since his introduction to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017, following the Green Bay Packers’ decision to overlook the talented Wisconsin pass rusher.

It’s likely that the four-time finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award, who took home the honor in 2021, deserved another win in 2023. A pleasant alternative could be featuring in the upcoming Backyard Football game, and an even more satisfying alternative would be gracing the cover as the main athlete.

2021 saw Watt equal the one-season sack record previously set by fellow ex-Backyard Football sensation, Michael Strahan, in 2001. Remarkably, he achieved this feat with 22.5 sacks, even though he was absent for two games.

Over a seven-year period when the Steelers haven’t had a losing season or failed to make the playoffs, their 1-11 record without Watt when he was absent from two games clearly tells its own story.

Individuals who have experienced Backyard Football 2006 can attest to the significance of a robust defensive end. Although Watt is technically a linebacker, it’s clear who most people would select as their top choice for guarding the edge in the upcoming edition of the game.

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2024-09-01 14:28