Former WR reacts to star player being left out of Madden 99 Club

Three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes did not make the list despite posting the seventh-most passing yards last season (3,928) in what many would consider a down season for the QB.

Former wide receiver Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson made an appearance on ESPN's "First Take" Monday morning and was asked if he felt it was fair or foul that Mahomes did not earn a spot in the Madden 99 Club.

"It's fair, he's a 98. It's not bad," Johnson said. "He was in the 99 club, obviously coming off of, not a poor season, but one when they didn't win the Super Bowl. But he has a good chance. He's not taking a step back or anything like that. They just have room for improvement. He has room for improvement. He showed that he is human."

A 99 is the highest rating a player can earn in the "Madden NFL" video game, so it is surprising not to see a player of Mahomes' caliber on the list, even if he did not have the type of season we have grown accustomed to seeing from him in 2024.

A recent ESPN league survey from NFL executives, coaches and scouts ranked Mahomes as the No. 1 QB in the league, making the Madden rating an intriguing one to say the least.

To be fair, Mahomes has dealt with offensive line issues, injuries to skill position players and a rare season in which TE Travis Kelce regressed in 2024, so it understandable why the results have not been as flashy lately.

A return back to the Super Bowl and another AFC West title will not be easy, given the improvements from other teams in the league. Still, Mahomes threw the ninth-most TD passes (26) and had the eighth-best QBR (67.6) last season. His 11 interceptions and the inability to close out games kept the pressure on Kansas City all season, but a Super Bowl loss to Philadelphia to end the season is still more than a lot of teams can say.

If anything, this will give Mahomes even more of a chip on his shoulder, especially considering Allen and Jackson made the list and have yet to knock him and the Chiefs off in the postseason.

The loss to the Eagles in the Super Bowl was enough motivation to come back stronger than ever in 2025. The omission from the Madden 99 Club should only add fuel to the fire for Mahomes as he looks to respond from the adversity and regain his spot on the exclusive list of players.