Chad Johnson believes Cam Ward’s Madden 26 rating is fair
“How You Getting Mad”: Chad Johnson Sides With Madden Over Cam Ward’s Rating originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
EA Sports revealed the initial ratings on Thursday for some of the incoming rookies in Madden NFL 26.
The group is headlined by Jacksonville Jaguars two-way player Travis Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 overall pick from April’s NFL draft. He was given an 84 overall that includes 99 stamina, 96 jumping and 95 agility.
Cam Ward Not in the Top 10
Some of the other highly rated rookies include halfback Ashton Jeanty (83), linebacker Abdul Carter (81), defensive tackle Mason Graham (80) and offensive tackle Will Campbell (79). However, quarterback Cam Ward, selected by the Tennessee Titans No. 1 overall, received a 72 rating.
The developers equipped him with 82 speed, 85 acceleration, 83 agility, 72 awareness, 92 stamina and 91 throw power. Ward’s Madden 26 rating received pushback from some who thought it wasn’t high enough for the No. 1 overall pick.
What Chad Johnson Said About It
Former NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco Johnson believes the rating is fair because Ward has an entire season to prove himself and raise it, a common practice for the Madden video game series.
“Cam Ward was phenomenal at [Miami] and turned that program around, but this is what we saw fit to put him in as before the season starts,” Johnson, a brand ambassador for EA Sports and six-time Pro Bowler, said during a recent episode of “Night Cap” with co-host Shannon Sharpe.
“But they're not in the NFL yet and want their ratings to be super high when they do nothing.”
He noted that rookies such as Hunter, Jeanty and Carter deserve a higher overall rating because they are exceptional players who perform well in college.
“A 71 is justifiable because most rookies at the quarterback position come in at,” Johnson added. “And how you getting mad? There is more to improve. What we do at EA for Madden is that there is a 17-game season. Week to week, that rating continues to rise based on consistency.”
Johnson and Sharpe noted that the rating can also drop if Ward doesn’t perform well, which they don’t think will happen since he has Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett to throw the ball to.
Related: Stephen A. Smith’s Blunt Response to Cam Ward’s Madden 26 Rating
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Football
