How to Use the 99 Club Effectively in Madden 26

The confirmed members are:

Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Lane Johnson, RT, Philadelphia Eagles

Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns 

Each was selected based on outstanding 2024 NFL seasons: Barkley surpassed 2,000 rushing yards and won Super Bowl LIX, Jefferson became a three-time 1,500‑yard receiver, while Allen and Jackson again dominated at quarterback, and Garrett racked up double-digit sacks in back-to-back campaigns 

Franchise Mode Strategy: Building Around 99-Rated Elite

Offense

Saquon Barkley: Use  him as your workhorse. With 99 ratings in speed, acceleration, and truck power, he decimates second levels and opens up passing opportunities when defenses stack the box. Mix between outside zone, power, and draw plays to fully leverage his explosiveness.

Justin Jefferson & Ja’Marr Chase: These 99‑rated receivers redefine vertical threats. Pair them with shoot‑out or play‑action schemes to stress coverage deep — Jefferson excels on slants, posts, and double moves; Chase thrives on fades and post comebacks. Rotating both in three‑wide sets keeps defenses off balance.

Josh Allen & Lamar Jackson: Dual‑threat QBs at 99 OVR mean tremendous flexibility. Use read‑option and rollouts, with play‑action when Allen can bomb downfield. Jackson thrives in designed QB runs and inside zone RPOs. Keep pockets clean to maximize their passer rush pressure and scramble lanes.

Offensive Line Anchor

Lane Johnson provides elite pass protection and run blocking, allowing clean pockets and improved yards before contact. His presence gives both Barkley and the QBs room to perform at their best.

Defense

Myles Garrett: The only defensive 99 Club member this year. In Franchise mode, make him the cornerstone of your front seven. Use pinch blitzes and edge-rush schemes to collapse pockets. Rotate him to keep stamina high and pair with run-stopping LBs for maximum disruption.

By building your roster around these 99 performers, you create an elite core that elevates every facet of gameplay. In Franchise, manage rotations, depth, and fatigue carefully to keep your stars available for crunch time.

Ultimate Team Tips: Using the 99 Club Cards

How to Acquire

These players will appear in packs or as high-tier rewards in Madden Ultimate Team (MUT). Their rarity and demand may make them expensive on the Auction House.

Focus on completing top-tier objectives and season challenges to accumulate training points or coins to afford them.

In-Game Usage

Place Barkley as your lead back, Jefferson and Chase as your primary X and Z receivers, with Allen or Jackson as the starting QB depending on your scheme.

Use 720-scoring variations, such as passing in two-minute drills and deep shot plays, to quickly capitalize on their elite ratings.

Garrett should anchor your defensive line, especially in long‑yardage or third‑down situations. Use him as a pass‑rush specialist in sub formations or as your primary edge rusher in base or nickel sets.

Chems & Team Synergies

While 99 Club cards already max out core ratings, pairing them with the right team chemistry bonuses (in MUT, e.g. themed teams, coaching upgrades, or Madden chem boosts) can enhance specific traits like acceleration or route running further in superstar mode. However, at 99 OVR, the return on additional boosts is minimal compared to 98 or below players.

Gameplay Tactics with the 99 Club

Dominant Offensive Execution

Tempo Control: Run a hurry‑up no‑huddle offense using Barkley and Allen/Jackson to exploit tiring defenses. Barkley’s break‑tackle ability means fewer Glenns and more chunk gains.

Route Concepts: Pair Jefferson’s slants with Chase’s deep post in vertical stretch concepts like Spider 2 Y Corner or Four Verticals.

Red Zone Efficiency: Barkley’s strength and acceleration make him ideal for inside runs or wheel routes. Use Allen’s arm strength or Jackson’s improvisation when passing tight zones.

Defensive Mastery with Garrett

Set Garrett loose on blitz heavy sets like Over Storm Brave or Bear Over 2. His 99 power moves and acceleration make him lethal off the edge.

In passing downs, pair him with a run‑stuffing defensive end or DT rotation to prevent counters while letting Garrett focus on pressure.

Season Timeline & Rostering Insights

EA unveiled the class of seven 99-rated players on July 28, 2025, as part of Ratings Week —the most since Madden 19

Notable returns include Jefferson and Garrett, both previous multi-time 99 Club members

This year’s 99 Club comprises six offensive and just one defensive player — a deliberate design, highlighting elite offensive talent and singular defensive dominance 

TL;DR Summary – Key Strategies for Each 99 Club Player

Saquon Barkley (RB)

Make him your primary ball carrier.

Use a mix of power runs, outside zones, and draw plays.

Exploit his elite breakaway speed and tackle-shedding power.

Josh Allen / Lamar Jackson (QB)

Both are elite dual-threat quarterbacks.

Utilize play-action, rollouts, and read-option plays.

Allen thrives on deep throws; Jackson excels in designed QB runs and improvisation.

Justin Jefferson / Ja’Marr Chase (WR)

Use Jefferson for quick slants and precise routes.

Use Chase as a deep threat with post and go routes.

Deploy both in three-wide sets to stretch the defense.

Lane Johnson (RT)

Rely on him to protect your quarterback’s blind side.

Use his blocking to create effective run lanes.

Anchor your offensive line for both pass and run plays.

Myles Garrett (DE)

Place him at the edge in pass-rush heavy sets.

Use him on blitz plays and long-yardage downs.

Rotate him to keep stamina high for key 4th-quarter stops.

Final Thoughts

The Madden 26 99 Club represents the pinnacle of player talent and virtual power. In this edition, starring Barkley, Allen, Jackson, Jefferson, Chase, Johnson, and Garrett—you're working with one of the most formidable rosters ever released.

Whether you're playing Franchise or MUT, centralizing your strategy around these players offers both performance dominate and a narrative core for your team.

Against human or CPU opponents, these players are game-changers—but only when buy Madden 26 coins used correctly. Offensive schemes that emphasize spacing, tempo, and mismatch leverage will unlock their true potential. On defense, Garrett’s pressure power can swing momentum—but only if your secondary contains receivers effectively.