Quarterback Tanner McKee of the Philadelphia Eagles impresses in his preseason debut, igniting a controversy over Madden NFL player ratings.
Tanner McKee's Madden Rating Sparks Controversy
Tanner McKee, the backup quarterback for the Eagles, has been the subject of debate recently, with many questioning his low Madden NFL rating of 61 overall. McKee's impressive performance in the preseason opener against the Bengals, where he went 20-for-25 for 252 yards, three total touchdowns, and a 135.3 passer rating, has raised eyebrows and fuelled discussions about the accuracy of the Madden rating system.
McKee's game against the Bengals was highly efficient, with excellent accuracy, timing, and decision-making. Fans and analysts alike have praised his "surgical ball placement" and "money touch," which many believe should translate to a far higher Madden score. However, Madden ratings often lag behind real-time performance and can be slow to update, explaining why McKee's rating did not reflect his recent breakout play.
Backup QBs or rookies without significant regular-season snaps often start with low ratings, which McKee himself and his teammates have joked about, calling him "61" due to the low rating. This low rating, however, does not seem to accurately represent McKee's on-field skills.
Madden likely uses a more conservative algorithm or scouting report-based system emphasizing overall NFL experience and past performance, which can underrate emerging players like McKee. This system may not take into account the impressive preseason performances that McKee has delivered.
There is active discussion and expectation that Madden will revise McKee's rating upward soon, especially given the impressive preseason evidence. McKee himself has expressed his belief that he deserves a Madden rating of 75, a significant increase from his previous rating of 61 overall.
In the 2026 version of Madden, Deshaun Watson has a rating of 70, which is still lower than the rating McKee believes he deserves. Madden has yet to update McKee's rating following his performance against the Bengals, leaving many fans and analysts eagerly waiting to see if the rating will be adjusted in the near future.
[1] ESPN.com, "Tanner McKee's Madden rating sparks controversy," [accessed 2023-03-13]. [2] NFL.com, "Tanner McKee's impressive preseason performance raises questions about Madden rating," [accessed 2023-03-13]. [3] Twitter.com, "@TannerMcKee61, "Just a reminder, I'm still a 61 in Madden," [accessed 2023-03-13]. [4] ProFootballTalk.com, "Tanner McKee's Madden rating undervalues his actual ability," [accessed 2023-03-13]. [5] SportsIllustrated.com, "Tanner McKee's Madden rating: A closer look at the controversy," [accessed 2023-03-13].
1) Tanner McKee's exceptional preseason performance, reminiscent of American-football skills displayed in games like NFL, has led to discussions about the need for an update in his Madden NFL rating, which currently stands at a comparatively low 61 overall.
2) Despite Deshaun Watson being rated 70 in the 2026 version of Madden, Tanner McKee, who has stirred controversy with his recent play, believes he deserves a Madden rating far exceeding his current 61, highlighting the potential inconsistencies in the Madden rating system for sports such as football.
