The Best of the Best: Every Steelers Player in the Madden 90+ Club Since 2002

It’s that time of the year again, yinz. No, I am not referring to training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers, though that is coming up here as well. With Madden 23 scheduled for release on August 19th, talk of ratings has already begun. 

It began with the release of the “99 Club”; those extremely talented players that Madden reserves the 99 overall score for. This year, Steelers LB TJ Watt will be presumably joining the club, becoming the first player for the franchise to do so since Madden 19 gave that coveted rating to WR Antonio Brown. 

Also of note, the franchise has begun to roll-out their ratings for offensive players, with key Steelers such as WR Diontae Johnson (85), TE Pat Freiermuth (79), and WR Chase Claypool (78) receiving their ratings. Rookies George Pickens (74), Calvin Austin III (70) and Connor Heyward (62) received their inaugural Madden ratings as well.  

With the Steelers getting their usual dose of doubt from the national media, I wanted to take a look back today to see every Steeler that has ever had a 90+ rating in the game. This was not as easy as I suspected, as there is only one conclusive database of Madden’s rankings, and it only goes back to 2002. That being said, I organized the data below and provided my thoughts: 

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, T.J. Watt (#90) celebrates alongside defensive tackle, Cameron Heyward (#97) and linebacker, Alex Highsmith (#56). | NFL.com

Madden 22: Steelers Overall (80)

Perhaps most notably in Madden 22, Minkah Fitzpatrick was not listed as a 90+ rated player, coming in just short at an 89. 

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 02: Defensive lineman Cameron Heyward #97 of the Pittsburgh Steelers smiles after sacking quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs as offense linemen Eric Fisher #72 and Zach Fulton #73, and linebacker James Harrison #92, look on during a game at Heinz Field on October 2, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Chiefs 43-14. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

Madden 21: Steelers Overall (84)

Another notable snub for Fitzpatrick at 87 and no TJ Watt who came in at an 86. Madden 21 marks the first 90+ appearance for DE Cam Heyward, who should have been graded above 90 years earlier, but I digress. 

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 22: David DeCastro #66 and Ramon Foster #73 of the Pittsburgh Steelers look on during the first half of the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Madden 20: Steelers Overall (84)

Only one Steeler cracked 90 in Madden 20, guard David DeCastro. 

Dec 17, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) celebrates a third quarter touchdown against the New England Patriots at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Madden 19: Steelers Overall (85)

Madden 19 was the last time the Steelers had a member of the “99 Club” on their roster in Antonio Brown. 

Credit: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Madden 18: Steelers Overall (88)

Madden 18 marked the last iteration of the game that former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger was given a 90+ rating. He was ranked above a 90 in 10 seasons of his 18-year playing career.

ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 12: Kendrick Green #53 of the Pittsburgh Steelers waits to snap the ball as Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers calls a play during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

Madden 17: Steelers Overall (85)

Just outside the 90+ mark, Madden 17 gave both DE Cam Heyward and C Maurkice Pouncey at an 88 grade. 

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) is punched by Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey (53) and tackled by offensive guard David DeCastro (66) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns won 21-7. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Madden 16: Steelers Overall (84)

In Madden 16, offensive lineman David DeCastro and Kelvin Beachum come close to 90 with an 87 grade each, while Cam Heyward also gets close with an 88 mark. Madden 16 marks the first of four seasons in which Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell would crack the 90+ club as Steelers. 

In this Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009 file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu celebrates following Pittsburgh's 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game in Tampa, Fla. Former Pittsburgh Steelers star Troy Polamalu has carved his own unique path to the Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)

Madden 15: Steelers Overall (78)

Madden 15 marks the end of an era, with 10x 90+ score safety, Troy Polamalu, appearing for the final time before his retirement. 

Timmons lines up on defense (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Madden 25: Steelers Overall (80)

Coming in at 88, 88 and 89 respectively, Madden 25 leaves TE Heath Miller, C Maurkice Pouncey, and CB Ike Taylor off of their 90+ list. 

ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: James Farrior #51, James Harrison #92 and Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate a defensive play against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers won 31-25. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Madden 13: Steelers Overall (87)

The Steelers were still a really strong team in Madden 13, with four Steelers making it above 90. Just below the line were WR Mike Wallace (89), CB Ike Taylor (88), DT Casey Hampton (87), MLB Lawrence Timmons (87), and RE Brett Keisel (87). 

02 Dec 2018: Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman, Aaron Smith during a halftime ceremony honoring former Steelers players during halftime of the NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, in Pittsburgh, PA. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Gene J Puskar/AP/Shutterstock (10013950os)

Madden 12: Steelers Overall (90)

Madden 12 had a huge class of Steelers in the 90+ club, with seven of their starting 11 players making the cut. The Steelers also had four players at or above an 87, with RB Rashard Mendenhall, C Maurkice Pouncey, RE Brett Keisel, and WR Mike Wallace all within that range. 

Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Madden 11: Steelers Overall (84)

Near misses in Madden 11 include WR Hines Ward, MLB James Farrior, QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Rashard Mendenhall, and LE Aaron Smith. 

Action shot of linebacker James Farrior #51 during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Steelers.com)

Madden 10: Steelers Overall (92)

Near misses in Madden 10, OLB Lamar Woodley and TE Heath Miller were both given an 88. Woodley would be a staple on the 90+ list for years to come, while Miller would also have an additional appearance. This would mark Hines Ward's last appearance in the 90+ club. 

Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

Madden 09: Steelers Overall (94)

Madden 09 appropriately enough gave nine Steelers a 90+ grade. The Steelers haven’t had a class with more than eight 90+ players since.

Dan Kreider shown during his 2004 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Jeff Ruppenthal)

Madden 08: Steelers Overall (88)

Madden 08 had eight Steelers in the 90+ club, including a rare appearance by a fullback. Dan Kreider may be the best Madden fullback of all-time, certainly the best the Steelers have ever had. 

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 17: Clark Haggans #53 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the game against the Carolina Panthers December 17, 2006 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Pittsburgh defeated Carolina 37-3. (Photo By Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Madden 07: Steelers Overall (96)

The Steelers were excellent in Madden 07 and had nearly 20% of their team appear on the 90+ list. This is the first time that safety Troy Polamalu held/tied for the team lead with a score of 98. Polamalu would lead the team in overall rating for nine consecutive editions of Madden. Madden 07 marks the team's largest 90+ club membership to date and the team’s best overall score. 

PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 16: Offensive guard Alan Faneca #66 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Heinz Field on October 16, 2005 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Madden 06: Steelers Overall (91)

Another solid class for the Steelers, Madden 06 has the Steelers Super Bowl XL winning roster to play with. It’s also notable for the sheer number of close misses that the team had, with RB Duce Staley, RB Jerome Bettis, QB Ben Roethlisberger, LE Aaron Smith, K Jeff Reed, LT Marvel Smith, and FB Dan Kreider all in the 87-89 range. 

Madden 06 would mark the last time that the Steelers had a kicker or a punter given a 90+ rating. 

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 1: Punter Chris Gardocki #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers punts during a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 1, 2005 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Steelers won 21-17. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Madden 2005: Steelers Overall (74)

Madden 2005 was a decent showing for the Steelers in the 90+ club, with six players making the cut and WR Plaxico Burris, LT Marvel Smith, and LE Aaron Smith all just barely falling below the 90 mark. Madden 2005 marks the worst overall score that the Steelers have registered to date. 

Madden 2005 also marks the last game of the franchise with the full-year title format before the adoption of the newer iteration. 

CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 13: Casey Hampton #98 of the Pittsburgh Steelers run away from Matt O'Dwyer #72 of the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 13, 2002 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Steelers beat the Bengals 34-7. (Photo by Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images)

Madden 2004: Steelers Overall (86)

The 2004 edition of Madden had seven Steelers in the 90+ club, with two near misses in P Josh Miller and C Jeff Hartings coming in with a score of 87 a piece.

Antwaan Randle El’s touchdown pass on a trick play in Super Bowl XL helped the Pittsburgh Steelers past the Seattle Seahawks. Photograph: David Drapkin/AP

Madden 2003: Steelers Overall (88)

Oddly, the Steelers only had wide receivers make the 90+ club in Madden 2003, and none of them were Hines Ward. 

Madden 2002: Steelers Overall (77)

No Steelers made the 90+ club in Madden 2002. Madden 2002 marked the last time that the Steelers would appear as members of the AFC Central. 

Biggest Surprises

There were few surprises throughout, and though I believe that there are a few players who should have been in the 90+ club that were not listed, especially in recent years, there’s really only one glaring snub. 

I was shocked that Maurkice Pouncey only appeared once with a 90+ rating. While the several times All-Pro, Pro Bowl center was close in a number of versions of the game, I think it is patently ridiculous that he only scored above 90 once. 

Other surprising snubs include Cam Heyward earlier on in his career, no Stephon Tuitt at all, and no Jerome Bettis in those early 2000's 90+ clubs. 

What do yinz think? Is there a particular snub that you see? Were there any surprises? Comment below or tweet at me!

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