Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Lamar Jackson Credit: EA Madden 25’s franchise mode is positioned to be the best in over a decade. With expanded customization, branching storylines, and a revitalized NFL Draft experience, franchise mode fans might be set for one of their more enjoyable seasons of Madden play. With that in mind, here are five teams that should pique the interest of Madden franchise gamers who are looking for a variety of challenges.
Chicago Bears LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS - JUNE 04: Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass during ...
[+] Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall on June 04, 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) Getty Images The Bears have one of the most intriguing offenses in the NFL and Madden. Rookie QB Caleb Williams is rated 76, the highest of all rookie signal-callers, and he has a plethora of weapons to throw in your first season with the Bears.
The Bears are the only team in Madden 25 at launch with two wide receivers rated 89 or above: Keenan Allen (90) and DJ Moore (89). They also have rookie Rome Odunze (76), halfback Deandre Swift (85), and underrated pass-catching tight ends Cole Kmet (83) and Gerald Everett (81). Forbes Vetted For You The Best Gaming Laptops Under $1,000: Boost Your Games For Less By Jon Martindale Contributor On defense, the Bears have four players rated at 84 or above, including Jaylon Johnson and Kevin Byard at 89.
Even if you can’t push to the Super Bowl in your first year, the prospect of controlling Williams for multiple seasons with excellent weapons is a fun concept in Madden and real life. Baltimore Ravens function loadConnatixScript(document) { if (!window.cnxel) { window.
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. [+] program at the Under Armour Performance center. (Kevin Richardson/The Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) TNS Aside from the Kansas City Chiefs, I expect to see a boatload of people using the Ravens in online head-to-head matchups.
Likewise, if you’re looking for a team in franchise mode that will allow you to embark on an immediate dynasty, the Ravens are a great choice. What’s more, you should have some fun in the process. Lamar Jackson is rated 98 overall, and only Patrick Mahomes is rated higher at quarterback.
We know about Jackson’s dual-threat gifts, but now he has Derrick Henry in the backfield, which seems almost unfair in Madden. Couple this duo with an excellent offensive line, and I’m not sure any team in Madden 25 will be more deadly on the ground. As usual, the defense is formidable.
Roquan Smith is the second-highest-rated linebacker in the game, and the Ravens also have the highest-rated safety combination in Madden 25 with Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Griffin. Washington Commanders ASHBURN, VA - JULY 25: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders participates in a drill during ..
. [+] training camp at OrthoVirginia Training Center at Commanders Park on July 25, 2024 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) Getty Images If you want a little more of a challenge than what you’d get with the Bears but still want to control one of the top young quarterbacks in Madden 25, consider controlling the Washington Commanders with Jayden Daniels.
The No. 2 overall pick in the draft isn’t rated far behind Williams, but he won’t be blessed with the treasure chest of weapons that the Bears’ rookie will have at the beginning of his career. However, that doesn’t mean he has no one to throw to in the Commanders’ offense.
Terry McLaurin is a respectable 89 overall, and Washington has one of the top pass-catching running backs in Austin Ekeler, though he is only rated an 81 in launch ratings. On defense, Washington still has Jonathan Allen anchoring the defensive line, so there is enough there to have some success early, but the Commanders are still a team that most would describe as an up-and-coming squad for users to rebuild. Atlanta Falcons FLOWERY BRANCH, GEORGIA - MAY 14: Quarterbacks Kirk Cousins #18 and Michael Penix Jr.
#9 of the ...
[+] Atlanta Falcons look on during OTA offseason workouts at the Atlanta Falcons training facility on May 14, 2024 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Getty Images If we’re looking at teams that have enough weapons to perhaps make some noise in Year 1 of your franchise mode but also have a quarterback of the future waiting in the wings, the Atlanta Falcons should top that list.
Kirk Cousins will be the starting QB, but the veteran may not be long for Atlanta or the NFL. He will begin the season rated an 84 overall, but he’ll be 36 in two weeks. If Madden’s age progression engine is functioning correctly, Cousins could rapidly decline.
That’s where rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. could become a factor. In the second or third year of your franchise mode, Penix Jr.
could end up being your starting quarterback, which could add some intrigue to the experience. Cousins and Penix Jr. should have the luxury of passing to Kyle Pitts and Drake London, giving the Falcons two prime aerial targets.
Defensively, the Falcons have a highly regarded secondary, with the top-rated safety being Jessie Bates III and AJ Terrell Jr. at cornerback. Pittsburgh Steelers PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 6: Russell Wilson #3 looks on alongside Justin Fields #2 of the .
.. [+] Pittsburgh Steelers during the Pittsburgh Steelers OTA offseason workout at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 6 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) Getty Images If you like a good old-fashioned QB controversy in your franchise mode experience, give the Pittsburgh Steelers a spin. Russell Wilson is rated a 76 overall at launch, and Justin Fields at a 75. It doesn’t get much closer than that when it comes to two QBs on your Madden depth chart.
In real life, I believe Fields will take the job from Wilson during preseason or very early in the regular season. He’s just too dynamic, and his arm talent is too elite to stay behind the aged version of Wilson we currently see. If you pick the Steelers for your franchise, you’ll be in control of an exciting defense.
TJ Watt is still a demon on the edge, coming off a 19-sack season in which he played in all 17 games. Free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, defensive end Cameron Heyward, linebackers Alex Highsmith and Patrick Queen round out the top portion of a defense that might be the best in Madden 25. You can see all of the player ratings for Madden 25 here .
Madden 25 releases for all platforms on Aug. 16..
