Honestly, the Bijan Robinson Madden 25 rating is one of those things that makes you wonder if the ratings adjusters actually watch the games or if they’re just staring at spreadsheets all day. When EA Sports first dropped the numbers for the 2024-2025 season, the collective "what?" from the Falcons fan base and the broader NFL community was loud. He started the cycle at an 82 Overall.
Yeah. 82.
For a guy who basically carries the entire Falcons offense on his back some Sundays, that felt like a slap in the face. It’s even weirder when you look at the stats. He had nearly 1,500 yards from scrimmage as a rookie while dealing with a coaching staff that seemed allergic to giving him the ball in the red zone. Yet, Madden decided he was the 22nd-best running back in the league at launch.
The Disconnect Between the Screen and the Field
EA has this habit of being "conservative" with young players. They want them to "earn it." But Bijan isn't your average second-year back. If you’ve ever used him in a Franchise mode, you know an 82 OVR doesn't feel right. He’s got that rare 5'11", 215-pound frame that allows him to absorb contact while staying shifty.
In the game, his Speed (SPD) was initially pegged at 90, which is... fine? But his Agility (AGI) at 89 was the real head-scratcher. Have you seen the man move? He makes professional defenders look like they’re wearing ice skates on a basketball court.
By the time the mid-season roster updates rolled around in late 2024 and early 2025, EA finally started to see the light. You can't ignore a guy putting up 200-yard scrimmage games. His rating eventually climbed into the high 80s, but the damage was done. The initial Bijan Robinson Madden 25 rating became a meme for how out of touch the launch ratings can be.
Breaking Down the Key Stats
Let’s look at what the 2025 updates did to his card. It wasn't just the overall that moved; it was the specific "flavor" of how he plays.
- Cod (Change of Direction): This is where Bijan shines. In the TOTW (Team of the Week) versions and later base roster updates, this shot up into the 90s. It’s the stat that lets you snap his hips and hit a hole that wasn't there a second ago.
- Break Tackle (BTK): This is arguably his most underrated trait. He doesn't just run around people; he runs through them.
- Catching (CTH): He’s basically a wide receiver in a linebacker’s body. Madden 25 eventually gave him the respect he deserved here, making him a legitimate threat on Texas routes out of the backfield.
Why 82 Overall Was a Statistical Anomaly
If you look at the guys ranked ahead of him at launch—Joe Mixon (91), Travis Etienne Jr. (90), and Kenneth Walker III (88)—you start to see the "veteran bias." Mixon is great, sure. But is he nine points better than Bijan? Not in 2026, he isn't.
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Bijan’s 2025 season was a masterclass. He finished with over 2,200 scrimmage yards. He broke the Falcons' single-season record for total yards, surpassing William Andrews. He even had a 93-yard touchdown run against the Rams that looked like something out of a video game—ironic, considering the video game thought he was "just okay."
The real-world production simply didn't match the digital representation. One NFL coordinator even told reporters that preparing for Robinson is a "nightmare" because of the combination of home-run speed and ankle-breaking agility. Madden's "Elusive Back" archetype for him is correct, but the ceiling they set early on was way too low.
The Ultimate Team Factor
Now, if you’re a MUT (Madden Ultimate Team) player, the "base" rating matters less than the special editions. This is where the Bijan Robinson Madden 25 rating actually got some justice.
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We saw a 91 OVR Most Feared card that was absolutely lethal. Then came the 94 OVR TOTW (Team of the Week) and eventually the 99 OVR Theme Team Surge card. Those cards actually felt like Bijan. They had the 99 Speed and 99 Acceleration that reflected his real-world "burst." But for the average person playing a quick match or a Franchise, that 82-85 range he lived in for most of the year was a struggle.
How to Actually Use Bijan in Madden 25
Since the game doesn't give him "Superstar" treatment by default in the early rosters, you have to be smart. Don't just spam the sprint button.
- Leverage the Juke: His juke animation is one of the smoothest in the game. Wait for the defender to commit, then flick the stick.
- Utilize him in the Pass Game: If you’re playing against a heavy blitz, put Bijan on a swing route or a flat. His YAC (Yards After Catch) ability in Madden 25 is better than his rating suggests.
- Sub him in at Slot: Seriously. If you have a speed deficit at WR, Bijan can hold his own in the slot for a few plays.
What This Means for Madden 26
Looking ahead, there is no way EA makes the same mistake twice. With a First-Team All-Pro nod and a record-breaking 2025 season under his belt, Bijan is a lock for a top-5 RB rating next year. We’re likely looking at a launch rating of 92-94 OVR.
The "Bijan was robbed" narrative of Madden 25 has basically forced the developers' hands. You can't have a guy flirting with 2,300 scrimmage yards and keep him in the low 80s. It breaks the immersion of the game.
Final Thoughts on the Ratings Game
At the end of the day, Madden ratings are just numbers on a screen, but they matter for the culture. They spark debates in locker rooms and on Twitter. The Bijan Robinson Madden 25 rating saga proved that the "experts" at EA can get it wrong, and they can get it wrong big time.
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If you're still playing through your Falcons franchise, make sure you've downloaded the latest 2026 roster updates. The difference between "Launch Bijan" and "End-of-Season Bijan" is night and day. One is a decent starter; the other is a cheat code.
Next Steps for Your Roster:
Go into the "Manage Rosters" menu and check for the final January 2026 update. If your Bijan is still an 82, you're playing a version of the game that doesn't exist anymore. Update those sliders, check his "Development Trait" (it should be Superstar X-Factor by now), and start feeding him the rock. The digital version has finally caught up to the man who spent the last year embarrassing NFL defenses in real life.