Madden 26: Anthony Richardson Is the Best Budget Quarterback

When new cards drop in Madden Ultimate Team, the spotlight usually shines on the flashy LTDs, high-overall legends, or big-name superstars. But every now and then, a card sneaks in under the radar that completely changes how players approach lineup building. In Madden 26, that card is 85 overall Anthony Richardson.

What looked like a mid-tier addition quickly turned into one of the most dangerous budget-friendly options in the game. At around 100K Madden 26 coins on the auction house, Richardson combines elite mobility, powerful arm strength, and a surprisingly smooth release that rivals some of the game's best passers. For players who want a quarterback that feels like a top-tier option without draining their coin stash, Richardson might be the steal of the season.

Anthony Richardson's Stats: Elite Value at 100K

On paper, Richardson doesn't immediately look like a game-changer. But the numbers tell a different story:

 Speed: 85

 Throw Power: 89 (same as LTD Patrick Mahomes)

 Short Accuracy: Strong, consistent

 Medium/Deep Accuracy: Weaker, but manageable

 Release: Clean, arguably better than Mahomes

That 89 throw power immediately jumps off the page. Matching Mahomes in deep velocity while also being faster than him is no small feat. While Mahomes has better overall accuracy ratings, Richardson's physical tools make him feel dynamic in ways most quarterbacks at this price point simply don't.

Sure, his accuracy dips on medium and deep throws, but in live gameplay, the misses weren't nearly as punishing as you'd expect. Even without activating his abilities in some games, Richardson consistently hit open receivers and avoided the wild misfires that plague other budget passers.

Ability Breakdown: What to Equip

One of the pleasant surprises with Richardson is that his ability pool is actually very usable for a budget QB. While unstoppable X-Factors are still not worth running because of their activation difficulty, Richardson thrives with more practical setups.

Recommended abilities include:

 Pocket Deadeye-Boosts accuracy on pocket throws, smoothing over his weaker medium/deep accuracy ratings.

 Set Feet Lead (if available)-Extends velocity and distance, pairing perfectly with his natural throw power.

 Escape Artist or Fast Break-Optional mobility boost, though his raw speed already does plenty of work.

Even without abilities, Richardson still performed at a high level in multiple games. With them? He feels like a quarterback that could lead a competitive squad, not just a budget lineup.

Gameplay Impressions: Speed Meets Power

The real test of any Madden card isn't the numbers-it's how they feel on the field. And Richardson passes with flying colors.

From the first drive, his speed jumps out immediately. Rolling out of the pocket, escaping pressure, or simply turning broken plays into positive yards, Richardson gives you a mobility threat that forces defenses to adjust. In one gameplay session, he scrambled on the opening play, and while he was caught just short of the end zone, it was clear: real-life Richardson scores there, and in Madden 26, he'll usually do the same.

Then comes the arm. Deep outs, crossers, and bombs downfield don't feel capped. His throws explode out of his hand, arriving on target with minimal delay. Against aggressive defenses like Mid Blitz, Richardson's quick release and throw power punish opponents who gamble.

Even when "yellowing" risky balls into traffic, his accuracy held steady. That combination of mobility, arm strength, and forgiving gameplay mechanics makes him feel closer to a 90+ overall QB than an 85.

Comparing Richardson to the Competition

So how does Richardson stack up against the rest of the quarterback field? Let's break it down:

 Patrick Mahomes (LTD): Mahomes is more accurate, but slower, with a release that doesn't feel noticeably better. Considering the coin gap, Richardson offers comparable throw power and better mobility for a fraction of the cost.

 Michael Vick: Vick still dominates as a mobile threat, but Richardson's blend of speed and throw power makes him the more balanced option. Some players even prefer Richardson's steadier passing to Vick's occasional inconsistencies.

 Free Options (e.g., Cam Newton, Jalen Hurts): These cards are solid, but Richardson feels more refined. If you didn't get those rewards, Richardson is easily the best fallback option.

 Other Budget QBs: At around 100K, no other budget quarterback offers this level of upside. Most cheap options force you to pick between arm or legs; Richardson gives you both.

Simply put: unless you're running with the absolute top-tier names, Richardson is the best bang-for-your-buck quarterback in Madden 26.

The Budget Beast Factor

The biggest reason Richardson is such a must-have card is his price-to-performance ratio. At just 100K coins, he fits comfortably into budget lineups while still being good enough to run on competitive squads.

Players building a Jaguars theme team, or simply looking for a bridge quarterback until they can afford a top-tier legend, will find Richardson's card invaluable. He allows you to allocate coins elsewhere-beefing up your O-line, stacking WRs, or investing in defensive playmakers-without feeling like your quarterback is a liability.

The Drawbacks

Of course, no card is perfect, and Richardson does have some limitations:

1.Accuracy Concerns: Medium and deep accuracy ratings are his biggest weakness. While manageable in practice, against top-tier defenses they can occasionally cost you.

2.Not Truly Elite Yet: Richardson isn't going to outduel the absolute gods of MUT-the 90+ overall legends and LTDs with stacked ability sets. He's close, but not quite in that league.

3.Ability Activation Oversight: Forgetting to equip abilities (as seen in gameplay) isn't a dealbreaker, but highlights that Richardson needs a little setup to maximize.

Still, for the cost, these drawbacks feel minor.

Final Verdict: Anthony Richardson Is the QB Every Budget Squad Needs

After multiple games with both Patrick Mahomes and Anthony Richardson, one conclusion became clear: Richardson is simply more fun and more effective for the price. He delivers the arm strength of the league's best, the mobility of an elite scrambler, and a release that feels better than most top-tier QBs-all for around 100K coins.

For budget players, he's the obvious choice. For competitive players, he's at least worth a trial run. And for everyone else, he's a reminder that sometimes the best cards in Madden Ultimate Team aren't the ones with the highest overalls, but the ones that punch way above their weight.

If you're still rocking a placeholder quarterback or waiting for the next legend drop, don't sleep on Anthony Richardson. In Madden 26, he's not just a budget beast-he's one of the best quarterbacks in the game, period.

MMOexp Madden 26 Team