It’s been a grind of an offseason for Omar Khan and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ front office, but every step has been purposeful.
The goal? Build a Super Bowl contender—not next year, but right now. And if you ask the developers of Madden 26, Pittsburgh's plan is working.
The highly anticipated game dropped its defensive team ratings, and the Steelers are sitting on top, ranked No. 1 overall with a 91 rating. That’s ahead of heavyweights like the Kansas City Chiefs (89), Dallas Cowboys (88), and AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens (87).
I must say: the developers finally got it right.
Former NFL coaching legend John Madden once said, “You can’t win a game if you don’t score points.” That’s more than a quote—it’s the soul of Teryl Austin’s defense. In 2024, the Steelers ranked 8th in points allowed per game (20.4), and they earned that number the hard way. Through grit, speed, and surgical execution.
Scoring on this defense? Ask opposing offensive coordinators—it's more of a fantasy than a plan. And that was before the 2025 upgrades.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' Madden 26 ratings are a great sign for the 2025 season
Pittsburgh made headlines with blockbuster defensive additions, including All-Pro cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay, and a strong draft haul led by first-round pick Derrick Harmon. The secondary is suddenly one of the scariest units in the league, and Madden took notice.
Ramsey earned a 94 overall rating, making him the third-highest cornerback in the game, trailing only Patrick Surtain II and Christian Gonzalez.
What makes this even more satisfying is the depth behind Ramsey. Darius Slay still has plenty in the tank, and Joey Porter Jr. continues to evolve into a lockdown presence. You look at that trio, and it’s hard to imagine many quarterbacks sleeping well the night before a Steelers matchup.
But the defense isn’t just about coverage. The front seven? Loaded.
Madden factored in stars like T.J. Watt (96), Alex Highsmith (88), Cameron Heyward (94), and second-year linebacker Payton Wilson. The recognition of this group’s disruptive potential gives Pittsburgh a well-earned bump in ratings—and it’s not just fan service.
It’s a nod to the work Khan and company put in to return the Steelers' defense to elite status.
It’s refreshing to see the virtual world reflect the reality we’ve been witnessing at camp. It’s been a while since Madden gave the Steelers their flowers, and this year, they deserve every petal.
Let’s just hope this top-ranked unit dominates not only on the sticks, but on the field this fall.