SALEM, OR - After a festive Fourth of July weekend filled with fireworks, BBQs, and a brief break from league action, we’re back-and so is the annual ratings drama. EA has officially released the team overalls for Madden 26, giving us our first look at how the virtual landscape is shaping up for the new season. And while some teams landed right where you’d expect, others are already raising eyebrows, especially when compared to how they finished in Season 32 of the 2K Online Franchise League.
Top of the Mountain
The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers lead the pack with a 92 overall rating, a nod to their consistent presence among the league's elite. However, neither team cracked the top five in overall rating at the conclusion of Season 32. In fact, the 49ers finished tied for 22nd at just 83 OVR-a sizable gap from where EA has them entering Madden 26.
Joining the Chiefs at the top in Madden 26 are the Baltimore Ravens (91) and Miami Dolphins (89). Yet only the Ravens lived up to that billing in Season 32, finishing with an 87 OVR. The Dolphins, meanwhile, were part of a crowded mid-tier cluster at 84.
Big Risers: Raiders and Jets
No team climbed higher than the Las Vegas Raiders, who ended Season 32 tied for first overall (90) and now sit at 81 in Madden 26-a baffling drop given their strong finish and postseason presence.
The New York Jets, on the other hand, got the respect they were due. After finishing third in Season 32 with an 89 OVR, they now carry that same rating into Madden 26. Their defensive core and quarterback play have elevated expectations.
Mid-Tier Crowding
A whopping 12 teams in Madden 26 have ratings between 82-87, including the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, and Philadelphia Eagles. Most of those teams finished Season 32 within a similar range, giving this tier the most accurate overlap between real performance and EA’s projections.
However, a few snubs stand out. The Houston Texans, coming off a Super Bowl three-peat and a 90 overall finish in Season 32, received just an 83 in Madden 26-lower than 15 other teams. You could argue it's the biggest disrespect of the cycle.
Snubbed and Underrated
Here are a few of the most questionable downgrades based on Season 32 performance:
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Texans: 90 → 83
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Raiders: 90 → 81
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Jets: 89 → 86 (solid but still lower than expected)
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Steelers: 83 → 86 (a rare bump despite mid-tier results)
Meanwhile, the New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, and New York Giants round out the bottom of the Madden 26 ratings at 75, 79, and 79 respectively. They also finished among the league's worst in Season 32, so no surprises there.
Final Thoughts
It's clear EA took a mix of past results, roster updates, and brand perception into account. But when stacked against the actual data from Season 32, it's easy to spot who's trending up-and who may be coasting off name value alone.
