What gives, EA Sports?
Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward does not rank anywhere near the top 10 rookies in the Madden 26 initial player ratings released by EA Sports on July 30.
Ward’s initial rating is a 72 overall, tops among the rookie quarterbacks but well off of Travis Hunter’s 84 overall rating to lead all rookies.
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Ward ranks tied for 69th among all rookies, and his initial player rating is the lowest for a No. 1 overall pick in years in the annual video game. Bears QB Caleb Williams began last season at a 76 overall as the No. 1 pick.
Ward is not even the highest rated Titans rookie in the game, with second-rounder Femi Oladejo coming in at a 74 overall.
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Madden ratings can and will fluctuate during the season. Last year, Commanders QB Jayden Daniels opened as a 74 overall and moved up into the 80s by midseason. But 72 overall?
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Ward and the Titans have a long way to go to curb public perception, and the initial Madden rating for the No. 1 pick is another example.
EA Sports releases Madden 26, its annual NFL video game, on August 14.
Madden 26 top rookie ratings
Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders: 83 overall
Abdul Carter, New York Giants: 81 overall
Mason Graham, Cleveland Browns: 80 overall
Will Campbell, New England Patriots: 79 overall
Jalon Walker, Atlanta Falcons: 79 overall
Kenneth Grant, Miami Dolphins: 78 overall
Jahdae Barron, Denver Broncos: 78 overall
Madden 26 player ratings for Titans rookies
Elic Ayomanor: 71 overall
Kevin Winston Jr.: 70 overall
Kalel Mullings: 70 overall
Xavier Restrepo: 69 overall
Marcus Harris: 69 overall
Jackson Slater: 69 overall
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Cam Ward Madden rating: Not among top rookies, surprisingly low for top pick