Madden NFL 26 ratings: What Most People Get Wrong About the 99 Club

If you’ve spent any time on sports Twitter lately, you know the annual Madden ratings reveal is basically a holiday for people who love to argue. It’s that time of year when grown men lose their minds over whether a digital version of a linebacker should have an 88 or an 89 speed. Honestly, it’s beautiful chaos. But this year, Madden NFL 26 ratings hit a little different.

EA Sports didn’t just shuffle some numbers around. They changed the formula. The game actually launched back on August 14, 2025, and now that we’re deep into the 2026 playoff cycle, those initial launch numbers look like ancient history. The mid-January updates have been brutal. If you haven't checked the roster recently, you're probably playing with an outdated squad.

The 99 Club is No Longer a Lifetime Achievement Award

For years, fans complained that once you made the 99 Club, you were basically tenured. Not anymore. EA has been moving toward a "what have you done for me lately" model. Take a look at the launch list for the 99 Club this year:

• Saquon Barkley (RB, Eagles) - The cover athlete came in hot after a 2,000-yard season.
• Lamar Jackson (QB, Ravens) - Still the dual-threat king with a 96 speed.
• Josh Allen (QB, Bills) - Tied with Lamar for the top spot at launch.
• Justin Jefferson (WR, Vikings) - The most consistent wideout in the game.
• Ja'Marr Chase (WR, Bengals) - Joined the club after winning the Triple Crown.
• Myles Garrett (DE, Browns) - The lone defensive representative at the start.
• Lane Johnson (OT, Eagles) - Holding it down for the big guys up front.

But here is the thing. By the time we hit the Week 18 update on January 12, 2026, the developers showed they aren't afraid to snatch that gold 99 away. Consistency is the new metric. If you’re a veteran living on past glory, your rating is probably sinking faster than a brick.

Why Patrick Mahomes Started as a 95

Everyone lost their collective minds when the GOAT started the season as a 95 overall. People called it "disrespectful" and "engagement bait." Basically, they thought EA was just trolling. But the data was there. Mahomes had a "down" year by his standards—3,928 yards and 26 touchdowns. Madden's ratings adjusters, led by Dustin Smith, have been leaning harder into raw statistical output rather than just name recognition.

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It’s a controversial move. Some players argue that a 95 Mahomes is still better than a 99 anyone else because of his unique animations and "Superstar X-Factor" abilities. In Madden 26, the gap between a 95 and a 99 feels smaller in terms of raw stats but massive when you factor in how the new AI-powered machine learning system handles player-specific tendencies.

The Postseason Shakeup: Who is Rising Right Now?

We just got the Wild Card update on January 16, 2026. This is where the Madden NFL 26 ratings get interesting because they track the playoff momentum. If you’re a Texans fan, you’re eating good right now. Will Anderson Jr. just jumped to a 94 OVR (+1) after a monster performance where he basically lived in the backfield.

Then you have the rookies. Remember when people were worried about Caleb Williams? He’s sitting at an 85 OVR (+1) now. It’s a slow climb, but he’s proving he belongs in the conversation. On the flip side, some veterans are getting the "playoff tax." Justin Herbert dropped to an 89 (-1) after some late-season struggles. It feels harsh, but that’s the direction the game has gone.

Rookie Ratings: The Cam Ward and Travis Hunter Factor

The 2025 rookie class was one of the most hyped in years. EA was actually pretty cautious with them at launch. Usually, top picks land in the 74-79 range.

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1. Ashton Jeanty (RB) started at an 83—the highest for a rookie.
2. Abdul Carter (LB) was an 81.
3. Mason Graham (DT) came in at an 80.
4. Cam Ward (QB) and Travis Hunter (WR/CB) were the big talking points, hovering around the high 70s.

Hunter is a weird one for the ratings team. How do you rate a guy who plays both sides of the ball without making him game-breakingly overpowered? They ended up giving him high stamina and specific traits that allow him to stay on the field longer, but his individual position ratings started modest.

Explaining the "Football Weather" Impact on Ratings

This is something most people overlook. In Madden 26, ratings aren't static numbers that perform the same in every game. The new "Football Weather" system actually acts as a modifier on your OVR.

If you're playing with a high-rated speedster like Tyreek Hill (95 OVR) in a heavy snow game in Buffalo, his "Change of Direction" and "Acceleration" ratings take a hidden hit. You might find that a lower-rated, "power" type player actually performs better in those conditions. This makes the Madden NFL 26 ratings more of a puzzle than a simple "higher is better" scenario. Ball security (Carrying) becomes the most important stat on the field when the rain starts pouring.

The Problem With Middle-of-the-Pack Players

There is a huge "dead zone" in the ratings this year. If you aren't an elite 90+ player or a promising 75+ rookie, you’re sorta stuck in the 80-84 range. This is the "average starter" tier, and honestly, the gameplay difference between an 81 and an 83 is almost imperceptible.

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Gamers are noticing that EA is being much stingier with the 85-89 tier. They want that jump to "Elite" status to feel like a real milestone. It makes Franchise mode harder because you can't just sign a bunch of 82-rated vets and expect to win a Super Bowl. You need those X-Factor guys to carry the load.

Final Insights for Competitive Play

If you’re trying to climb the ranks in Ultimate Team or just dominate your friends in local co-op, don't just look at the OVR. Look at the archetypes. A 92 OVR "Deep Threat" receiver might be useless if your QB has a low "Deep Ball Accuracy" rating, regardless of his 99 OVR status.

Check the latest roster updates every Friday. EA has been dropping small tweaks based on Thursday Night Football performances that can give you a slight edge in weekend league play.

Next Steps for You:
Go into the "Edit Roster" menu and check the "Awareness" stat on your offensive line. In the latest January update, EA boosted the impact of O-Line awareness on blitz pick-ups. If your tackles are below an 85 awareness, you’re going to get screamers off the edge in the current meta. Swap them out for high-awareness veterans if you’re planning a deep playoff run in your Franchise.