NFL training camps are opening across the league, and the countdown to the latest edition of “Madden NFL” is officially underway.

“Madden NFL 27” is still a little more than two weeks from release, but the ratings debate will likely start now. EA Sports unveiled its latest player ratings Wednesday, releasing the top 10 players at quarterback, running back and wide receiver.

Reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford and Buffalo Bills signal caller Josh Allen led the quarterback group ratings and earned a spot in the coveted 99 Club.

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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter of an NFC wild-card playoff game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Jan. 10, 2026. (Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Stafford and Allen tied for the top quarterback rating, but the Los Angeles Rams signal caller was listed ahead of the Buffalo Bills star in the category.

Joe Burrow was third with a 97, followed by Baltimore Ravens standout Lamar Jackson. Patrick Mahomes received a 93 rating and was slotted fifth, while Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff rounded out the group’s top 10 with an 88.

The other 99 Club members were wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, defensive end Myles Garrett and tight end Trey McBride.

CALEB WILLIAMS LANDS ‘MADDEN NFL 27’ COVER, BUT INFAMOUS CURSE LOOMS OVER PIVOTAL THIRD SEASON

After winning the franchise’s second Super Bowl title in February, the Seattle Seahawks reached an agreement on a four-year contract extension with Smith-Njigba that made him the highest-paid receiver in NFL history. Chase has eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in every season since entering the league in 2021.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) reacts after picking up a first down against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Dec. 28, 2025. (Ben Jackson/Getty Images)

After Chase and Smith-Njigba, Puka Nacua, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Justin Jefferson rounded out the top five wide receivers. Mike Evans, who left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the San Francisco 49ers this offseason, came in at No. 10.

Detroit Lions star Jahmyr Gibbs led all running backs with a 98 overall rating. Christian McCaffrey followed at 97 after a bounce-back season, with Jonathan Taylor third and Bijan Robinson fourth at 95. Rams standout Kyren Williams rounded out the top 10.

Caleb Williams may be the face of “Madden NFL 27,” but the Chicago Bears quarterback is still eyeing a higher rating. Earlier this week, he said his goal is to climb into the 99 Club before the end of the year.

A detailed view of NFL Madden 2026 items at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California, on Feb. 4, 2026, before Super Bowl LX. (Ishika Samant/Getty Images)

“If I get my completion percentage up, I’ll be a 99,” Williams told “Up & Adams” on Monday. “That’s how everybody feels about it. I don’t throw picks, I’m not a pick guy, never been a pick guy. Throw a few more touchdowns, keep the picks down and then just get the completion up.”

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“Madden NFL 27” is scheduled to launch worldwide Aug. 13, with MVP+ members receiving early access up to seven days ahead of release.

On the team side, the Rams earned the game’s top rating with a 93 overall.

Jockey James McDonald is optimistic about the prospects of two exciting horses making a significant impact during the spring carnival, as he prepares to ride Columbus and Enviable again at Rosehill this Saturday.

All eyes will be on the Les Bridge-trained Columbus and Chris Waller’s Enviable as they contest separate races, having both returned with impressive victories at Newcastle earlier this month.

McDonald made the notable decision to ride Columbus in a midweek Hawkesbury meeting when the gelding broke his maiden last October. He believes the talented four-year-old could have been a player in the major three-year-old races had injury not interrupted his progress.

Enviable also lost valuable racing time after sustaining a paddock injury following a spring campaign that included a fourth placing in the Flight Stakes and a Group 2 placing during the Melbourne Carnival.

Both gallopers returned to winning form at Newcastle on July 14 and are heading to Rosehill as leading contenders.

Enviable is the $2.60 favourite for the Congratulations Chris Waller Handicap (1400m), while Columbus is the $2.20 favourite for the Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap (1500m).

“I was gutted when he had a bit of time off,” McDonald said of Columbus.

“I thought he was a perfect Rosehill Guineas type of horse, so he’s got huge talent. He’s got a lovely record, unexposed. A bit like the filly as well.

“She has been exposed to the top level, but what she was doing at three – she was so unfurnished – the time off has done her the world of good, and that confidence win would have done her the world of good.

“They’re two lovely horses.”

Saturday’s meeting also marks the commencement of another Sydney jockeys’ premiership campaign for McDonald, who secured his tenth overall title and eighth consecutive crown during the 2025/26 season.

McDonald finished with 91 Sydney metropolitan winners, 12 clear of Zac Lloyd, but anticipates that defending his title will become increasingly difficult.

“It will get harder, that’s for sure. There is really good young talent,” McDonald stated.

“As the years have gone by, the landscape has changed a little bit in terms of my travel and engagements. It will be similar to this year when I had so much time away and I was lucky to hang on.”

Despite spending more time interstate and overseas, including his ongoing association with Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior, McDonald remains the benchmark among Sydney riders with a winning strike-rate of better than 25 per cent.

He will be hoping to begin the new season in the same fashion as the last, when Amusing gave him a winner at his opening metropolitan ride, with Columbus set to launch his 2026/27 campaign at Rosehill.

The upcoming Rosehill meeting presents opportunities for those interested in exploring betting markets for the race.

Chelsea youngster Kendry Paez has been recalled from yet another fruitless loan, and the West London club is working to find a new temporary stomping ground for him.

The Blues signed the Ecuadorian gem years ago, but he has struggled to make headway. The powers that be at Stamford Bridge will likely be frustrated.

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According to Juan Patricio Balbi, Chelsea are trying to define something after his River Plate loan was cut short. He has offers from Turkey’s Trabzonspor and Mechelen in Belgium.

Chelsea need to ensure that the 19-year-old goes somewhere he can get playing time and express himself.

He is quite the talent, but getting game time is paramount for a player of his age right now, more than anything.

Belgium is a fantastic ground for nurturing talent. It may be better suited than the fiery Turkish Super Lig.

This might be a make-or-break season for him. The talent has never really been in doubt, but ability alone is not enough to succeed at a club like Chelsea.

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The youngster also has to take greater responsibility for his own development.

Reports of a poor attitude in training, a lack of professionalism and an active nightlife have done little to enhance his reputation over the past year.

Whether every story is accurate or not, perception matters, and Paez must give people fewer reasons to question his commitment.

His focus should be on improving every day, earning minutes and rediscovering the form that made him one of South America’s brightest prospects.

A successful loan starts with the right destination, but it will ultimately depend on Paez cleaning up his act, embracing discipline and letting his football do the talking again.

Chelsea also need to stop stockpiling talent and blocking their pathway, sending them on countless loans. Thankfully, they are taking steps to streamline their squad.

When newer Wrexham fans think about Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac’s club, Ollie Palmer and Paul Mullin are likely two of the first key names that pop into their heads.

Mullin arrived during Rob and Ryan’s first summer transfer window, with Palmer joining six months later.

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Together, the duo formed a lethal partnership at the head of Phil Parkinson’s side, firing Wrexham from the fifth tier of English football up to League One.

But as the Dragons continued to grow, players like Palmer and Mullin became surplus to requirements.

The former left the Racecourse Ground prior to the 2025/26 season to sign for Swindon Town, while ‘Super Paul Mullin’ has now secured a move to Rotherham United after his Wrexham contract was cancelled earlier this summer.

Ollie Palmer wishes Paul Mullin good luck after Rotherham United transfer

Mullin confirmed his move to the League Two outfit via Instagram on Wednesday.

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In the caption of his post, he wrote: “New challenge! Buzzing to be here & can’t wait for a big season ahead. See you all very soon.”

A number of players have since taken to the comments section of the Instagram post to react, including Palmer.

The former Wrexham striker wrote: “Goood luck la,” while Ryan Barnett, George Evans, Andy Cannon and more commented various emojis such as love hearts and heart-eyes.

Now that Mullin has officially signed for Rotherham, it means he and Palmer will be competing in the same league against each other.

Their first meeting of the 2026/27 season is set to take place on October 31, when Swindon play host to Rotherham.

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The reverse fixture takes place at Rotherham’s ground on January 30, 2027.

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Manchester United have been given the chance to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap this summer, 12 months after they were in the race for him.

United wanted to sign Delap last summer, while he was with Ipswich Town, but were beaten by Chelsea in the race. But he has failed to make an impact with the Blues in his first season.

TEAMtalk reports that with Chelsea closing in on a deal for Danny Welbeck, they are willing to let Delap leave this summer. It’s added that United have been ‘offered’ the chance to reignite their interest in Delap, but have decided against making a move.

(L-R) Silver medalist, Croatia’s Donna Vekic, gold medallist, China’s Zheng Qinwen and bronze medallist, Poland’s Iga Swiatek pose with their medals on the podium at the presentation at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in Paris on August 3, 2024. (Photo by CARL DE SOUZA / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala has been making history for the Philippines since her breakout on the WTA Tour.

On Wednesday, she added another unique achievement to her growing list: Eala has now defeated all three medalists in the women’s singles event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Eala defeated China’s Qinwen Zheng, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, to open her Mubadala DC Open campaign in Washington. Zheng, a former world No. 4, is the reigning Olympic gold medalist.

Eala has also beaten bronze medalist Iga Swiatek twice in three meetings, including her stunning Wimbledon victory over the world No. 2 that ended the defending champion’s reign.

She also owns victories over Croatia’s Donna Vekic, the Olympic silver medalist, in the first round of the ASB Classic and the Berlin Open.

With wins over all three Olympic medalists, hopes are high that Eala will one day represent the Philippines in the Olympic Games.

Eala previously won gold at the Southeast Asian Games and captured a bronze medal in her Asian Games debut in 2023, where Zheng went on to win the title.

She has also said she is keen on representing the Philippines at this year’s Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.