The highly anticipated Madden NFL 26 Week 18 ratings update has been released, revealing numerous adjustments across the league but no new entrants into the exclusive 99 Club. Despite valiant efforts from athletes like Matthew Stafford and Penei Sewell, breaking into this top tier remains exceptionally difficult, a testament to its exclusivity. The update brought several minor changes among players rated 90 and above, while the very top echelons remained untouched.

Among the most significant individual gains in Week 18, Tress Way, Bo Melton, Colston Loveland, and Nick Emmanwori each saw their overall ratings (OVR) increase by four points. Joey Porter Jr. also enjoyed a notable surge, gaining three points to reach an OVR of 84. Conversely, Minkah Fitzpatrick experienced an untimely drop, losing one point and falling to 89 OVR, marking his first time out of the 90s this season.

The AFC East saw various shifts. For the Buffalo Bills, Connor McGovern gained two points to 81 OVR, while Taylor Rapp and Keon Coleman each dropped one. The New York Jets had Alijah Vera-Tucker drop one point to 83 OVR, but Joe Tippmann gained one to 80 OVR. The New England Patriots saw Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses both gain one point, reaching 84 and 82 OVR respectively. Miami Dolphins' Minkah Fitzpatrick lost one point to 89 OVR, and De'Von Achane also dropped one to 88 OVR, while Aaron Brewer gained one to 85 OVR and Patrick Paul gained one to 80 OVR.

In the AFC North, the Cincinnati Bengals had Cam Taylor-Britt drop one to 81 OVR, but Amarius Mims gained two to 76 OVR. Cleveland Browns' David Njoku dropped one to 81 OVR. The Baltimore Ravens saw Marlon Humphrey and DeAndre Hopkins each drop one point, to 87 and 80 OVR respectively. Alohi Gilman gained one to 79 OVR, and Roger Rosengarten gained two to 78 OVR. Pittsburgh Steelers' Jalen Ramsey dropped one to 94 OVR, but Joey Porter Jr. gained three to 84 OVR, and Aaron Rodgers gained one to 80 OVR.

Across the AFC South, the Jacksonville Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence gained one point to 82 OVR. Tennessee Titans' Peter Skoronski gained one to 84 OVR, while Sebastian Joseph-Day dropped one to 78 OVR. For the Indianapolis Colts, Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward both dropped one point, to 91 and 88 OVR respectively. Cam Bynum gained one to 84 OVR, and Tanor Bortolini and Laiatu Latu each gained two points. The Houston Texans had Derek Stingley Jr. gain one point to 92 OVR, and Dalton Schultz gained one to 84 OVR, while Jimmie Ward dropped two points to 81 OVR and Azeez Al-Shaair dropped one to 80 OVR. Calen Bullock made a significant gain of three points to 80 OVR.

The AFC West also experienced notable changes. Los Angeles Chargers' Rashawn Slater dropped one point to 92 OVR. Las Vegas Raiders' Kolton Miller dropped one to 91 OVR, and Jeremy Chinn dropped one to 82 OVR, while Devin White gained one to 73 OVR. Denver Broncos' Talanoa Hufanga saw a significant gain of two points to 88 OVR, and Alex Singleton gained one to 81 OVR, though Evan Engram dropped three points to 78 OVR. Kansas City Chiefs' Trent McDuffie dropped one point to 94 OVR.

Moving to the NFC East, Philadelphia Eagles' DeVonta Smith gained one point to 91 OVR, and Quinyon Mitchell gained two to 89 OVR, while Jake Elliott, Jaire Alexander, and Brandon Graham each dropped one. Dallas Cowboys' DaRon Bland dropped one to 82 OVR, but Tyler Booker gained one to 82 OVR. Washington Commanders' Terry McLaurin dropped one to 90 OVR, and Jayden Daniels dropped one to 79 OVR, but Tress Way made a major leap with a four-point gain to 77 OVR. New York Giants' Andrew Thomas gained one point to 93 OVR.

In the NFC North, Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker dropped two points to 84 OVR. Minnesota Vikings' Ryan Kelly and T.J. Hockenson both dropped one point, to 91 and 83 OVR respectively, but Jalen Redmond and Dallas Turner each gained two points. Green Bay Packers' Bo Melton made a substantial four-point gain to 72 OVR. Chicago Bears' Jaquan Brisker gained one to 85 OVR, Caleb Williams gained two to 84 OVR, and Colston Loveland saw a significant four-point increase to 83 OVR, while Rome Odunze dropped one to 82 OVR.

The NFC South saw adjustments as well. Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Cody Mauch dropped one to 78 OVR, but Graham Barton gained two to 76 OVR. Atlanta Falcons' Kaden Elliss and Ryan Neuzil each gained one point, reaching 84 and 80 OVR. New Orleans Saints' Juwan Johnson and Alontae Taylor each gained one to 79 and 77 OVR. Carolina Panthers' Damien Lewis gained one to 85 OVR, and Tetairoa McMillan gained one to 83 OVR, though Robert Hunt dropped one to 81 OVR.

Finally, in the NFC West, Los Angeles Rams' Kevin Dotson gained one to 87 OVR, and Kam Curl gained two to 83 OVR, while Rob Havenstein dropped three points to 79 OVR. Seattle Seahawks' Nick Emmanwori made a remarkable four-point gain to 83 OVR. Arizona Cardinals' Hjalte Froholdt and Jalen Thompson each gained one point, to 84 and 83 OVR. San Francisco 49ers' Ricky Pearsall gained one point to 80 OVR, but Jordan James dropped one to 72 OVR.