Late-career recognition for Rams quarterback draws attention
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been given a top rating — 99 overall — in EA Sports' Madden NFL 27, marking the first time in his 18-year career that he has reached the game's highest possible score. The move comes after a season that saw Stafford named NFL MVP and lead the league with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdown passes.
Two Rams in the 99 Club
The Rams also feature edge defender Myles Garrett in the 99 Club for Madden NFL 27 after he finished the prior season with a record-setting 23 sacks. Garrett has previously reached the top rating in earlier editions of the franchise; for Stafford, this is a career first. The pair are part of a six-player group awarded the game's top rating for 2027.
- Stafford: first-ever 99 rating in Madden after MVP season.
- Garrett: highest-rated edge, marking at least his third time at 99.
- Madden NFL 27 release information: worldwide launch 13 August, with early access dates for various editions.
“For the first time in NFL history, the reigning MVP is teaming up with the reigning Defensive Player of the Year on the same roster.”
EA Sports' ratings are an annual talking point among fans and players alike because they attempt to reflect recent performance and perceived ability within the game. For Stafford, who spent the earlier part of his career with the Detroit Lions, the 99 rating represents a significant upward revision after many seasons of lower scores.
What the rating means locally
For residents of Stafford, the headline offers a local curiosity as much as a sporting update: the town's name is shared with a high-profile athlete who has just received one of the game's highest honours. While the Madden rating does not alter real-world records or contracts, it is likely to increase interest among gamers and NFL followers here who track virtual representations of the sport.
| Player | 2026 season highlight | Madden 27 rating |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Stafford | Led NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 TDs; NFL MVP | 99 |
| Myles Garrett | Set single-season sack record with 23 | 99 |
EA Sports' Madden NFL 27 is due for release on 13 August, with early access available for certain purchasers and subscription members in the week before the worldwide launch. The game will be released across modern consoles and PC platforms.
As always with ratings-driven stories, reactions among supporters and video-game players tend to be mixed and spirited. For those in Stafford curious to try the updated rosters, the coming weeks will provide the earliest opportunity to test the new ratings in-game.
