When Cam Ward, the University of Miami alum and 2025 No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick, was revealed to have a 72 overall (OVR) rating in Madden NFL 26, it ignited widespread discussion. But, after the initial shock of the rating, supporters of Ward realized that this isn't anything new for the former Miami star.
Since draft night, when the ESPN broadcast focused more on the fall of QB Shadeur Sanders instead of the top pick, Ward has flown under the radar. Despite winning ACC Player of the Year, the Davey O’Brien Award, and the Manning Award at Miami, he is woefully underappreciated as the season gets closer.
Ward gets more coverage from the sports media machine for his comments about his WR group or his scuffle with DT Jeffery Simmons than he does for performing well in the preseason. The Titans are entering this year with their franchise QB and they don't receive any hype from anybody in the national media (except for Kyle Brandt).
Now, this isn't to say that the Titans will be a playoff team this year or that Ward is going to be enshrined in Canton, but Tennessee is being projected as a bottom-three team in the league. Does that seem fair? Or does it just come off as nobody is talking about the Titans so they must be terrible? At a certain point in offseason the benefit of the doubt faded and the coverage now seems to be a signal that this will be normal for Ward until he puts the world on notice, again.
Madden 26 Rating
EA Sports officially lists Ward’s launch rating at 72 OVR, classifying him as a Scrambler (QB archetype). Ward's 72 OVR is the lowest for a No. 1 overall QB pick in Madden in 24 years. Despite his arm strength (91 throw power) and agility attributes — 83 speed, 85 acceleration, 83 agility, along with 84 throw‑on‑the‑run — his overall rating remains conservative.
While Ward is the highest‑rated rookie quarterback in Madden 26, his rating pales compared to other top rookies. Travis Hunter leads the rookie class with an 84 OVR, followed by Ashton Jeanty at 83.