The Latest Overview of Steelers Starters Snubbed in Madden 23 Ratings

Soon, Steeler Nation will be able to enjoy playing as the Pittsburgh Steelers in Madden 23. Unfortunately, this will be one of the few editions of the game where the Steelers are not one of the top teams. As a unit, the team holds a disappointing 80 overall rating, according to EA Sports and there are plenty of eyebrow-raising ratings that are leaving both players and fans stunned.

Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher, TJ Watt following a play. Watt secured an underwhelming 96 overall rating in Madden 23. (Credit | NBC Sports)

“Watt” Should’ve Been – But Wasn’t

Coming off a season where he tied the all-time single-season sack record, and one that earned him Defensive Player of the Year honors, it almost seemed like a sure-fire thing that Watt was going to be a part of the "99 Club." However, that wasn’t the case. In fact, Watt holds the same overall rating that he did in last year’s Madden NFL 22 – 96. So, while he technically didn’t regress, the developers of the game didn’t see enough reason to put him in the club, or at the least, improve his rating. Those who were included in the 99 club were, according to the official Madden ratings database, were:

• Myles Garrett – CLE
• Davante Adams – LV
• Jalen Ramsey – LAR

The last Steelers player who made it into the "99 Club" was Troy Polamalu in the 2010 and 2012 editions of the game. As a consolation, Watt did finish as the second-best edge rusher in the game.

Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Derek Watt (44) and running back Najee Harris (22) participate in Organized Team Activities (OTA's) Tuesday May 31, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. (Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers)

A Steelers Offense that Lacks Firepower?

Fans were expecting some sort of drop-off following the departure of Ben Roethlisberger. But how far the offense actually did drop is disconcerting. Starting with Najee Harris, who is coming off a remarkable rookie year that saw him finish fourth in rushing in the entire NFL, came in at an 85 overall rating, something he’s not excited about at all when tallking on The Rich Eisen Show. Harris’ rating doesn’t even put him in the top 10 in the league.

To Harris’ credit, his rating did improve from Madden 22 when he held an 83 overall rating.

Diontae Johnson, who holds the same rating that he had in Madden 22, is also at 85. In fact, Harris and Johnson are the only two offensive players who hold a rating of 80 or higher.

After them, second-year man, Pat Freiermuth comes in at 79, improving from a 78 overall in Madden 22. Chase Claypool comes in at a 78, Anthony Miller comes in at a 74, George Pickens comes in at 74, Miles Boykin comes in at a 71, and Calvin Austin III comes in at a 70.

For the quarterbacks, Kenny Pickett comes in at a 68 overall, which feels very underwhelming for being a first-round selection and Mitch Trubisky came in at a 69 overall. Be mindful that he was a backup during his time with the Buffalo Bills and developers have historically not been kind to their ratings. Mason Rudolph comes in at a 62 overall.

Here is a list of all the projected offensive starters listed by position:

• QB: Mitch Trubisky – 69
• HB: Najee Harris – 85
• FB: Derek Watt – 68
• WR: Diontae Johnson – 85
• WR: Chase Claypool – 78
• WR: Anthony Miller – 74
• LT: Dan Moore Jr. – 69
• LG: Kevin Dotson – 73
• C: Mason Cole – 68
• RG: James Daniels – 78
• RT: Chukwuma Okorafor – 70

Pittsburgh Steelers safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick celebrates after a late-game interception against the Los Angeles Rams on November 10, 2019. (Credit | Steelers.com)

Bringing Down the Steel Curtain

Throughout the off-season, there has been plenty of excitement for the defensive unit to return as one of the top units in the NFL in 2022. The defense, at least according to Madden, is going to be the strength of the entire team. Six of the top 10 players on the team are defensive starters. First is the aforementioned Watt at a 96 overall rating, followed by Cam Heyward at 93, Minkah Fitzpatrick at an 89, Myles Jack and Tyson Alualu at 82, and Ahkello Witherspoon at 79 who presumably takes over the top corner spot on the team, replacing former teammate, Joe Haden.

For Fitzpatrick, he wasn’t able to crack the list of the top 10 safeties. Jamal Adams of the Seattle Seahawks rounds out the top 10 with a 90 overall.

Here is a list of all the projected defensive starters listed by position:

• DE: Larry Ogunjobi – 75
• DE: Cam Heyward – 93
• DT: Tyson Alualu – 82
• LB: TJ Watt – 96
• LB: Devin Bush – 77
• LB: Myles Jack – 82
• LB: Alex Highsmith – 75
• CB: Ahkello Witherspoon – 79
• CB: Cameron Sutton – 76
• SS: Terrell Edmunds – 78
• FS: Minkah Fitzpatrick – 89

For special teams, kicker, Chris Boswell, is the sixth-best player on the Steelers with an overall rating of 82, and is the fifth-best kicker in the game. The punter, Pressley Harvin III does not yet have his rating but held a 72 overall rating in Madden 22.

Madden 23 will be released on Aug. 19, 2022.

What are your thoughts on the Steelers' ratings in Madden 23? Let us know in the comments, below!

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