The NFL season is still a month away, but EA Sports has already thrown a grenade into the football world with its Madden 27 quarterback rankings. The reveal has sparked outrage among fans, who are baffled by several key placements—none more controversial than Joe Burrow sitting at No. 3 while Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson languish outside the top four.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford earned the top spot with a perfect 99 overall rating, a nod to his MVP season where he completed 65% of his passes for 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions. He shares the 99 club with Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen, who also received a perfect rating. But from there, the rankings take a sharp turn that has left the NFL community scratching their heads.
Madden 27 Top 10 Quarterbacks
- Matthew Stafford – 99 overall
- Josh Allen – 99 overall
- Joe Burrow – 97 overall
- Lamar Jackson – 94 overall
- Patrick Mahomes – 94 overall
- Drake Maye – 92 overall
- Dak Prescott – 91 overall
- Justin Herbert – 90 overall
- Caleb Williams – 90 overall
- Jared Goff – 88 overall
The biggest lightning rod: Joe Burrow at 97 overall—three points higher than two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes. Fans were quick to voice their disbelief on social media.
“What on earth has Joe Burrow done to deserve being 3-4 overalls higher than 2 time MVP Lamar and 2 time MVP 3 time Super Bowl winner Mahomes,” one fan posted. Another added, “EA putting Burrow at a 97 for missing playoffs 3 straight years yet 2x MVPs Lamar and Mahomes at a 94 and 93.” The Bengals quarterback has indeed missed the postseason for three consecutive seasons, making the ranking even more puzzling.
The placement of Justin Herbert at 90 overall also drew criticism. “The Justin Herbert hype is crazy,” a fan wrote, referencing the Chargers quarterback’s inconsistent production. Meanwhile, Drake Maye at 92 overall raised eyebrows, especially given his limited NFL experience. This isn't the first time EA's ratings have sparked controversy—similar backlash followed ESPN's 2026 QB rankings earlier this year.
Even the top spot wasn't safe from fan fury. “40 year old Matt Stafford being a 99 overall QB is crazy,” one user commented, questioning the longevity of the Rams signal-caller. Stafford's ranking, however, aligns with his recent MVP form, which also earned him the top spot in Cam Newton's QB rankings for 2026.
EA Sports has a history of adjusting ratings throughout the season based on performance, so these rankings are far from permanent. But for now, the Madden 27 quarterback list has united NFL fans in one thing: outrage. As the season approaches, all eyes will be on whether Burrow, Mahomes, and Jackson can prove—or disprove—EA's controversial math.
