After hearing all offseason how division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the best safety in the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons and their fans get their due. EA Sports has released their ratings for their upcoming Madden 25 video game and Falcons safety Jessie Bates comes in on top with a near-perfect rating of 97. Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. was rated at 94.
This offseason has been a long battle between the two NFC South safeties dueling over who holds the position of best safety in the NFL. Winfield Jr. earned the All-Pro after the season and was named the best safety in Jeremy Fowler's safety rankings by league decision-makers. However, the Madden ratings are just another barometer for fans to use for the argument and Bates finally gets a feather in his cap.