Cam Ward Gets Historic Low in Madden 26 Ratings

Cam Ward, the Tennessee Titans' No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, received a historically low initial Madden NFL 26 rookie rating of 72, marking the lowest rating for a top pick since Michael Vick in 2001. Several non-quarterback rookies, such as Jaguars WR/CB Travis Hunter (84) and Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty (83), earned significantly higher ratings. Ward is not the top-rated rookie on his own team, as linebacker Femi Oladejo received a 74. Other first-round quarterbacks like Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough followed with 68 ratings, while Steelers sixth-rounder Will Howard tied for the lowest Pittsburgh rookie at 64. The Titans are entering a long-term rebuild after a 3-14 season, and Ward's modest Madden rating mirrors tempered expectations for him and the 2025 draft class. These ratings are expected to change as the NFL season unfolds.