Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson Among 6 Players Joining Barkley in Madden '99 Club'

6 days ago

For seven NFL players, EA Sports finds you perfect the way you are.
Those seven players were unveiled as members of the "99 Club" in "Madden NFL 26" on Monday, with the announcement serving as the kickoff for Madden's ratings week. Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen will have a 99 overall rating when "Madden NFL 26" becomes available to play.
With seven players earning a 99 overall rating in "Madden NFL 26," it's the most players that have earned a 99 overall rating at the launch of a Madden game since "Madden NFL 19."
Additionally, EA Sports announced it's moving up the early access period for "Madden NFL 26" to Aug. 7. Previously, the three-day early access period allowed users to start playing the game three days before the release date on Aug. 14. Instead, there will now be a seven-day early access window for those who pre-order the deluxe version of "Madden NFL 26."
Barkley was previously announced as one of the members of the "99 Club" when he was unveiled as the cover star for "Madden NFL 26." The reigning Offensive Player of the Year was the first Eagles offensive player to be named to the "99 Club," with he and Johnson becoming the third and fourth players in franchise history to earn a 99 overall rating. Johnson is also just the fifth offensive tackle to ever be included in the "99 Club," joining Jonathan Ogden, Trent Williams, Walter Jones, and Willie Roaf.
Jackson and Allen's inclusions into the "99 Club" comes after they battled it out for MVP last season. Allen edged out Jackson for the award, getting 27 of the 49 first-place votes. But both are now in the "99 Club," joining Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Patrick Mahomes as the other quarterbacks to earn 99 overall ratings. Allen is the second Bills player to join the club, with Bruce Smith being the first to do it in "Madden 99."
Chase is also a first-timer in the "99 Club," becoming the first player in Bengals history to be included. Prior to Chase's inclusion, Cincinnati was the last team not to have a player in the "99 Club."
Jefferson and Garrett are the only multi-time "99 Club" members at the launch of "Madden NFL 26." Jefferson earned the 99 overall rating at launch for "Madden NFL 24." He re-entered the club in "Madden NFL 25" following a mid-season ratings update. This is Garrett's second time being featured in the "99 Club" at the launch of the game, with the first occasion coming in "Madden NFL 23." He was also a 99 overall in "Madden NFL 22" following a mid-season ratings update.
EA Sports determines which NFL players are worthy of making the "99 Club" by utilizing a team of experts who analyze player performance, statistics and skill sets throughout the season. Allen and Jackson have accounted for the NFL's last three MVP winners, while Barkley rushed for 2,000 yards when he won Offensive Player of the Year last season. Garrett won Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and followed that up by recording 14 sacks last year.
Johnson and Chase are the only two players of the group who haven't won MVP, Offensive Player of the Year or Defensive Player of the Year. However, Johnson has been named All-Pro in five of the last eight seasons and Chase was named first-team All-Pro in 2024 after winning the receiving Triple Crown for leading the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
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You Will Be Forever Frustrated Trying To Figure Out What Is Happening In These 21 Confusing Photos We Found This Week

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22 minutes ago

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You Will Be Forever Frustrated Trying To Figure Out What Is Happening In These 21 Confusing Photos We Found This Week

Hello again, and welcome to our roundup of the most confusing photos we found on Reddit this week. Check out last week's if you missed it — and let's get right into it! you think this is a five-gallon bucket with a fluffy paint roller in it, think again. What is it? It is a VapoRub stick that appears to have crystalized: this looking terrifying, it actually is not. What is happening here? It is literally just the cat's belly! It just happens to have some odd markings that make it look like a creepy face. Related: is this Nintendo Switch bumpy? It actually isn't bumpy! You are seeing the reflection of popcorn ceiling on the screen. the llama on the right just ringing its bell? What looks like the llama's hand is actually another llama behind it. are seeing rooftop parking here. Do you? What may look like a drop-off for rooftop parking is actually not! You're looking at a parking lot with digital screens. What looks like the drop-off is the back of a screen like the one on the left. brain will decipher this photo one of two ways: one that is correct and one that isn't. What do you see? If you see four forks on a purple towel, you are correct! thing goes for this photo! What do you see? If you spotted feet on a rug, you are right! Related: this pic, there are four seats, but why are only three shadows being cast? There are two light sources, and it creates this illusion. this a floating car? The car is on a raised platform. If you look closely you can see the poles behind the fence. this cat really square? No, the cat is sitting with its back up, and it just so happens to create a perfect square. about this one? Explain what you are seeing. The reflection of the light fixture is on the window, but it looks like it is in the sky. What is really interesting is the fact that what looks like the light to the fixture is actually the sun! Related: this grasshopper hanging on for dear life to the wing of the plane? The grasshopper is actually on the window of a moving plane, and about to fly off. this backyard pool setup feature a full kitchen? Sadly, no. It is just the reflection of the kitchen from inside on the window. What is going on with this dog's teeth? The dog has a pinecone in its mouth! are these packages floating? No, no. The delivery person's photo is sideways! is this tiger so ginormous? U/Mister_Way / It appears so big because of the lower camera angle at which this was taken. Your brain may have also interpreted the doorway as a normal height when it is not. is there a big tube across the street? The bird feeder is actually not across the street; it is attached to the black pole on the left. Related: is going on here? This is an actual staircase, and the wall and upstairs are just painted very cool. is one of those IYKYK moments. Is this some sort of weird hairstyle? You may already know, but this person is looking up and you are seeing their chin hair! there a painted checkered pattern on this sidewalk? Nope. You are seeing the shadow of the fence. lastly, has this person been stabbed with arrows? Thankfully, no. The arrows are in a dart board that is being hidden by the person's body. Do you have a really, really, REALLY confusing photo that you think we need to see?! Add it in the comments below, and you could be featured in our next weekly roundup of stumping people! Also in Internet Finds: Also in Internet Finds: Also in Internet Finds: