Madden 26 Ratings Week Recap: QBs, Edge Rushers, and New Abilities Unveiled
We've officially wrapped up Ratings Week for Madden NFL 26, and it's been one wild ride of reveals, reactions, and surprises. From elite quarterbacks and edge rushers to new animations, Ultimate Team details, and the reimagining of Superstar X-Factors, EA's taken some noticeable steps toward refining the Madden experience this year.
If you missed any part of the reveals or want a comprehensive rundown, you're in the right place. Let's break it all down-from Friday's ratings reveals to gameplay changes, new abilities, and the controversial omissions that have fans talking.
The Road to Madden 26: Ratings Week Overview
As part of EA's annual Ratings Week, this year's Madden 26 rollout featured daily reveals across different position groups, with Friday being the most anticipated of all: quarterbacks and edge rushers. Plus, we got our first look at core Ultimate Team animations, the game's welcome screen and weather impact teaser, and several new Superstar X-Factors and abilities.
New Core Card Animations
Before diving into the ratings, let's talk aesthetics. EA revealed the full set of core animations for Madden 26 Ultimate Team, and while some are familiar, there are a few tweaks:
Silver cards: Basic core silvers (which were barely seen in Madden 25).
Golds and Platinum Golds: Gold cards remain standard, with platinum versions getting a subtle polish.
Elites: Now rocking a blue border, which some fans feel clashes with past color schemes.
Platinum Elites: Slightly more prestige with their silver-and-blue aesthetic.
Purple and Legendary Strat Items: Reserved for strategy cards, helping differentiate visuals from standard players.
It's a small touch, but for those who spend hours in MUT menus, it matters.
Gameplay Teaser: Weather Takes Center Stage
The Madden 26 welcome screen trailer revealed more than just flashy graphics-it introduced real-world weather integration as a featured gameplay mechanic.
During the intro, we see players slipping, sliding, and struggling against the elements. EA emphasized this by showing Saquon Barkley trucking defenders in slick conditions. While it's not yet confirmed how much this will affect Ultimate Team, the weather system appears to be one of EA's key selling points this year.
Core Elites: Edge Rushers Breakdown
Now let's talk defense. EA revealed the top edge rushers for Madden 26 Ultimate Team, ranging from 85 to 83 overall. One thing that stood out? Speed is down across the board, even for "speed rushers."
Here's a quick breakdown of top names:
85 Overall Edge Rushers
Myles Garrett: 73 SPD, 85 PMV, 85 BSH-Power-based with elite strength.
T.J. Watt: 74 SPD, 86 FMV, 78 PMV-Slightly faster, finesse-heavy.
Micah Parsons: 81 SPD, 87 FMV-Arguably the best athlete in the group.
84 Overall Edge Rushers
Nick Bosa: Balanced finesse and power (76 SPD, 84 FMV, 84 PMV).
Maxx Crosby: 77 SPD, 85 FMV-Speed archetype that fits aggressive blitz schemes.
Trey Hendrickson: 75 SPD, 85 FMV-Solid option for lower-budget teams.
Will Anderson Jr.: 78 SPD, 82 FMV-One of the few young standouts.
83 Overall Edge Rushers
Aidan Hutchinson: 73 SPD, 80 PMV, 80 FMV-Underwhelming but reliable.
Danielle Hunter: 79 SPD, 83 FMV-Sneaky value pick with strong speed.
Khalil Mack: 71 SPD, 82 PMV-Veteran presence, power archetype.
And don't forget: Deluxe Edition buyers get an 83 overall Julius Peppers-a dominant left edge with good balance across key stats. Peppers, Parsons, and Hunter might just be your go-to early-game pass rushers.
Core Elites: Quarterback Ratings Revealed
Let's shift focus to the most important position on the field: quarterbacks. EA unveiled the top 10 QBs in Madden 26, and as expected, Lamar Jackson stole the show.
Top 5 QBs
1.Lamar Jackson-85 SPD, 83 THP, 85 SAC
One of only five players with 85 speed in the game. He's a dual-threat nightmare and finally got the respect he deserves.
2.Patrick Mahomes-76 SPD, 84 THP, 85 SAC
Still elite, and allegedly improved by custom throwing animations that all QBs are getting this year.
3.Josh Allen-79 SPD, 85 THP, 80 MAC
Strong deep ball and good mobility make him one of the best Madden QBs yet again.
4.Joe Burrow-75 SPD, 83 THP, 84 SAC
Reliable, safe, and steady. Ideal for sim-style players.
5.Jalen Hurts-80 SPD, 81 THP, 83 SAC
Mobile and balanced. A strong budget alternative to Lamar.The Rest of the Top 10
Jared Goff: 65 SPD, 82 THP-Statistically solid, physically limited.
Matthew Stafford: 69 SPD, 85 THP-Big arm, traditional QB style.
Justin Herbert: 77 SPD, 84 THP-Surprisingly fast and underrated.
Baker Mayfield: 77 SPD, 85 THP-A fun wild card.
Brock Purdy: 69 SPD, 77 THP-Controversial choice over Jaden Daniels, who was snubbed.
Let's pause for a second. Where is Jaden Daniels? Fans were expecting the explosive rookie to crack the top 10, and EA's omission did not go unnoticed. With 85-speed QBs like Lamar setting the meta early, leaving Daniels out feels like a miss.
Superstar X-Factors and Abilities: What's New?
EA also began rolling out new X-Factors and player abilities in the Madden 26 database. While many legacy abilities return, a few caught our attention.
Phenom
Believed to be a rebrand of Angry Runs, this ability is featured on players like Saquon Barkley. It increases the chance of breaking tackles after the catch or handoff. Think of it as a slightly more refined version of "First One Free."
Iron Man
A major addition. This Travis Hunter-inspired ability lets players perform on both sides of the ball without any stat penalty. Perfect for two-way players in Ultimate Team.
Route Artist
Not much is known yet, but it seems tied to the receiver route tree. It may enhance precision or create better separation. As of now, no players have this equipped.
Unspun and Menace
Two brand-new abilities, but their effects are still unclear. Based on naming:
Unspun may counter spin moves (defensive).
Menace sounds like a pass-rushing or defensive pressure perk.
We'll likely learn more once players hit the field during early access and EA reveals full in-game descriptions.
Final Thoughts: Madden 26 Is Shaping Up
EA is clearly putting effort into refining Madden 26-from visuals to animations, weather systems, and roster logic. Not everything has landed perfectly (looking at you, Brock Purdy over Jaden Daniels), but the overall direction feels positive.
The true test, of course, will be in gameplay. The return of fast, mobile QBs and the new defensive X-Factors could shake up the early MUT meta in a big way. With pre-orders and early access just around the corner, we'll soon know how these cards and abilities translate on the field. Now you can enter the game early, accumulate Madden 26 Coins, and enjoy the fun of the game.
Until then, enjoy the calm before the storm-and start planning your Day 1 squad.
MMOexp Madden 26 Team