Franchise Mode inMadden NFL 26remains set to be the biggest draw for many series fans, but the major updates for the mode are missing one vital aspect of running a team.Madden 26is set to release on July 13, 2025, with an array of different modes, including Franchise Mode, alongside Ultimate Team and Superstar.
Free Agency is a vital part of anyone building a team in Franchise Mode, and at the start of the game,195 players have been confirmed as being inMadden 26without having a team to play for.After you have finished your draft, you’re able to use Free Agents to complete your roster. These players are often used as backups or for rotation, but are a vital part of Franchise Mode and one that will play a huge part in whether you succeed or not each season.
Free Agency Will Make Or Break Teams In Franchise Mode
An Undervalued Area Of Franchise Mode
Madden 26must avoid many of theproblems that Franchise Mode had inMadden NFL 25, and the developers have made significant efforts to rectify them. However, Free Agency is set to only receive minor tweaks and was not mentioned in the Deep Dive earlier this summer. While completing big star trade deals, or signing the next superstar in a draft is important, free agency should not be forgotten when building your roster.
One of the keys is planning ahead for the next season before your players leave the field for the final time.
Having a good idea of the positions you want and, more importantly, need to recruit for is vital when heading into the draft and free agency. While you can pick up free agents throughout the year,immediately after the draft is when you will be able to get the best potential players.You should target positions that you lack cover for, or positions that you would want to rotate, such as having a rookie, where you can make use of a veteran free agent to manage time on the field.
Madden NFL 26’s Realism Will Hopefully Only Add To The Fun
Improvements Aimed At Bringing Realism
Thebiggest changes in Franchise Mode inMadden NFL 26have targeted adding more realism. These include expanding the roles of coaches and staff, as well as the overhaul of the in-game presentation.While free agency has notundergone the changes that some would have likedto see, the tweaks made mean that the list of players on offer is a more realistic representation of who teams can pick up during the actual NFL season.
Coach roles are more realistic, alongside improvements to the AI opposition off the field in Franchise Mode,but the presentation updates are what really change the game inMadden NFL 26.Different broadcast presentations are showcased, depending on the day of the week you are playing, alongside various commentary teams. Half-time reports and red-zone-style recaps are also designed to help build realism for players.
Madden NFL 26is set to bring a host of upgrades and new features to improve its Franchise Mode, but how well you do in Free Agency will play a big part in whether you’re able to go all the way to the Super Bowl.
