RGIII slams Madden 26 rookie ratings over ‘disrespectful’ grade for Titans’ Cam Ward

Cam Ward hasn’t thrown a regular-season NFL pass yet, but the disrespect is already building — at least according to former quarterback and current analyst Robert Griffin III.

After Madden 26 released its rookie ratings this week, Ward — the No. 1 overall pick by the Tennessee Titans — received just a 72 overall rating, tying Michael Vick for the lowest ever given to a top pick since 2001. That, along with what some perceive as a lack of national attention, prompted RG3 to speak out on social media.

“Cam Ward is the most disrespected QB #1 overall Pick EVER,” Griffin wrote. “I know it’s just a Madden Ranking, but Cam Ward having a 71 rating and not even being a top 10 rated rookie in the game as the 1st Pick in the NFL draft and the lack of national media coverage of him solidifies it.”

Ward, who was the only quarterback taken in the top 20 of this year’s draft, enters the league as the clear Week 1 starter for the Titans — something no other rookie QB can claim. Still, his path to national relevance has been quiet compared to the hype typically surrounding No. 1 picks.

“I don’t think I’m being welcomed in [the league] with open arms,” Ward said, per The Athletic. “I was the first pick. I’m blessed to be that. But at the end of the day, there’s a target on my back… I’m trying to prove myself to my teammates.”

Despite a stellar final college season at Miami, Ward’s draft class was widely regarded as one of the weaker quarterback groups in recent memory, a factor likely contributing to his subdued Madden score and media coverage.

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For his part, Ward doesn’t seem too concerned.

“I don’t care about the hype,” he said. “I don’t care about social media. All I care about is this 100-yard field. At the end of the day, football takes care of everything.”

The Titans are coming off a 3–14 season and know they’re at the beginning of a rebuild. But if Ward plays with the same chip on his shoulder that RG3 just spotlighted, Tennessee may have found the right quarterback to lead it.