Madden 26 just gave the Jets their most unexpected win in years

The New York Jets don't exactly have the loftiest of expectations entering the 2025 season. The Jets' decision to part ways with Aaron Rodgers this offseason signaled a shift toward a retooling of sorts, and few expect the Jets to legitimately compete for a playoff spot this year.

Evidently, the game developers over at EA Sports didn't get the memo.

A handful of fans got access to the Madden 26 closed beta this week, leading to leaked pre-release ratings for all 32 teams. Somehow, some way, the Jets landed an 86 overall, tied for the 10th-best mark in the entire league.

That rating is not only tied with the Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles, but it's also remarkably higher than the Jets' AFC East rivals, the Buffalo Bills. NFL fans were in disbelief over these curious ratings.

The full list of ratings can be seen below.

NFL fans are shocked by the Jets' Madden 26 beta ratings

Of course, these are just beta ratings — the final numbers will almost certainly change before launch. It makes sense that a top-heavy team like the Jets might shine in this early build, with stars like Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams doing a lot of the heavy lifting in the ratings category.

The high Madden rating is certainly vastly different from the real-life expectations surrounding the Jets heading into 2025. Following a disappointing five-win season in 2024 and the end of the Aaron Rodgers experiment, the Jets opted for a full-scale reset.

New head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey were brought in to change the organization's culture. It's clear that the Jets aren't trying to contend right away. Instead, they hope to build a sustainable foundation for the future.

Gone are the aging stars and expensive contracts. In their place is a younger, hungrier roster. That complete organizational shift was evident in the team’s offseason moves.

The Jets signed quarterback Justin Fields as a low-risk, high-reward flier. They invested heavily in the offensive line and doubled down on building a strong run game. They handed out only two multi-year contracts all offseason and have just four players on the roster who are 30 or older.

While there’s still talent on the roster, namely players like Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams, Garrett Wilson, and Breece Hall, expectations remain tempered. Most analysts expect the Jets to hover near the bottom of the AFC East rather than potentially lead it.

So while Madden might be a little bullish on Gang Green, real life may be a bit less forgiving. Still, it’s fun to live in fantasy land for a little while. The reigning offseason champs remain undefeated.

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