NEWSLETTER
Madden NFL ratings release week isn’t one Bears fans often look forward to on the calendar. Let’s face it. Chicago’s football team isn’t the best for video-game play. Because, much like football in reality, the game in *virtual* reality leans toward offensive excellence and steers away from defensive dominance. And as we all know, Chicago’s defense is what gets things done around here.
But with the Bears drafting Justin Fields, it counts as a reason to have additional interest in this year’s edition of the game. And upon the first release, I can say, with confidence, that Fields’ mere presence is an upgrade from what fans and gamers are used to when it comes to Chicago quarterbacks:
Top 10 rookies on @EAMaddenNFL 22#Falcons Kyle Pitts-81#Jaguars Trevor Lawrence-78#Dolphins Jaylen Waddle-76#Broncos Patrick Surtain-76#Lions Penei Sewell-75#Jets Zach Wilson-75#Bengals Ja’Marr Chase-75#Eagles Devonta Smith-75#49ers Trey Lance-74#Bears Justin Fields-74
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 26, 2021
Fields’ 74 rating has him tied for third among quarterbacks with Trey Lance, who went with the third overall pick to the Niners. Only Zach Wilson (75) and Trevor Lawrence (78) have a higher rating than Fields. But more than that, Fields’ 74 rating is better than what Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles were at this time last year. Think about what that means and let it settle in. Last year, Trubisky’s 72 rating was a tad bit better than Foles’ 71. And as Dov Kleiman points out, Fields’ 74 rates higher than the 70 Trubisky finished with last season. In other words, Fields is an upgrade from Trubisky in the purest meaning in the book. Albeit, we’re talking about a virtual rating. Nevertheless, an upgrade is an upgrade. We’ll take it.
And whenever Fields steps onto the Soldier Field turf, he’ll be throwing to a top-10 receiver:
The Madden ratings are dropping and Allen Robinson II is FINALLY starting to get his due. A 90 rating and top-10 ranking is nothing to sneeze at.
via @espn pic.twitter.com/dYzhVUODjb
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) July 26, 2021
This is a big moment for Allen Robinson II, who is finally starting to get his due. A 90 rating is the best Robinson has done since joining the Bears, but it’s not as if he hasn’t earned it. In fact, Madden has been snubbing him for years. Remember when Trey Burton was given a higher ranking than Robinson? Yeah, that was a miss by the Madden gang.
I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of the lineup rates as the rollout continues. Khalil Mack, Roquan Smith, and Eddie Jackson should still grade out pretty well. I’ll be curious to see where rookie left tackle Teven Jenkins checks in among players at his position. And what will be made of the likes of Akiem Hicks, Tarik Cohen, Darnell Mooney, and others. For once, I’m looking forward to Madden ratings. Who am I?
