We are still two months away from the launch of Madden NFL 26. But Former NFL MVP Cam Newton and six-time Pro Bowler Chad Johnson are already ready for a battle. The two NFL greats have sparked a debate around player ratings for this year’s edition of the video game franchise.
The former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver didn’t hold back either when Newton fired some shots at him.
Chad Johnson Issues Madden NFL 26 Challenge to Cam Newton
Newton often streams Madden gameplay and claims to be a great player of the video game. During an episode of his “4th and 1” podcast, the 2015 NFL MVP was not pleased to see Johnson deciding the player ratings for Madden.
“Who gives Chad Ochocinco the right to give Madden rankings?” Newton said. “He’s not good at Madden. Has anybody seen Chad Ochocinco play Madden?…. He plays FIFA.”
The former Carolina Panthers quarterback said that he is a “big browser” while Johnson is just getting started and doesn’t deserve to play him yet.
“He’s just an analytical guy,” Newton added. “I feel highly disrespected that EA hasn’t reached out to me to give ratings…. I don’t wanna play him, he’s not good. He got Chiefs written all over him. He got Baltimore written all over him. He got the Buffalo Bills written all over him. He got the Philadelphia Eagles written all over him.”
The 36-year-old meant that Johnson needs the best teams to win a game. Newton added that he relies more on schemes and can even play with a team rated less than 85.
Johnson hit back at the three-time Pro Bowler during an episode of the “Night Cap” show.
“I’m great at football in general, when I played it. You hear me?” Johnson said. “One of the best of all time. That’s what gives me the credibility to give ratings. Now, I don’t know nothing about Cam Newton and no feel when it comes to no stick work.”
“I ain’t know he was a gamer,” he added. “I don’t even know he played Madden. So obviously, whoever he thinks he is in the game, I don’t know about him. I game as a way of life to pay my f****** bills.”
Johnson is willing to put whatever Newton wants on the line. He said that the ex-quarterback isn’t ready, saying:
“Cam don’t want no smoke… Cam can’t beat me in nothing. Matter of fact, if I were the backup at Carolina, I would have taken the m********** job.”
Yall already know that @ochocinco wants all of that smoke @CameronNewton @4thand1show @ShannonSharpe @DeSeanJackson10 @ShayShayMedia_ pic.twitter.com/yNy6J42mHn
— Nightcap (@NightcapShow_) June 13, 2025
It’ll be exciting to see if Newton and Johnson actually face off each other anytime soon. It’d be great to witness these two give it their all on the virtual gridiron after successful NFL careers.
Madden 26 is set to release Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, with Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley on the cover. The cover art highlights Barkley’s remarkable backward hurdle from last year’s Week 9 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.