September 18, 2025
Madden 26 Rookie Face Scan Update Adds Fresh Likenesses — But Fans Notice Shedeur Sanders Missing EA Sports rolled out new rookie face scans for Madden NFL 26, but the absence of one star QB has fans talking
EA Sports has pushed out a fresh batch of rookie face scans in Madden NFL 26, giving fans new and improved likenesses for several first-year players. While the update sparked excitement, it also created controversy — because one of the most talked-about rookies in football is still missing.
👀 Who Made the Cut
The latest rookie scan drop includes:
- Omarion Hampton
- Masson Taylor
- Jihaad Campbell
- Will Johnson
- Terrance Ferguson
- Matthew Golden
- Elijah Arroyo
These players now look more true-to-life in Madden 26, a welcome change for fans who care about authenticity in player visuals.
❌ The Shedeur Sanders Situation
Notably absent from this round of updates is Shedeur Sanders, the highly popular quarterback whose in-game likeness has been a hot topic since launch.
When Madden 26 first dropped, Sanders’ model went viral on social media for all the wrong reasons. Fans joked that it looked nothing like him, with one post even asking, “Why does he look like Nick Chubb?”
Comments poured in, with reactions ranging from:
- “That’s literally the default option.”
- “EA Sports need to stop using the free AI Generator and pay for the professional version.”
The new rookie face scans, while appreciated, only reignited the conversation as fans noticed Sanders was still missing from the update.
⏳ Will His Scan Arrive Later?
Historically, EA has added high-profile players’ updated scans later in the season. Still, given Sanders’ spotlight both on and off the field, many expected his likeness to be a top priority for Madden 26.
For now, it’s unclear if Sanders’ official face scan is coming in a future patch or if development delays are holding things up. What is clear: Madden fans aren’t letting this one go anytime soon.
🏆 Final Take
Madden 26’s latest rookie face scan update delivers some nice visual upgrades, but the absence of Shedeur Sanders has left fans disappointed. With his growing influence and popularity, EA Sports will likely face continued pressure until his official likeness is added.