Summary
- Lead struggling teams to Super Bowl glory in Madden NFL 25 by overhauling rosters and developing new talent for a competitive edge.
- Rejuvenate aging rosters in Franchise Mode with promising new players to recapture past glory in Madden NFL 25.
- Build strong teams around star players like Josh Allen with strategic roster management to overcome tough opponents in Madden NFL 25.
Madden NFL 25, one of the biggest sports releases of 2024, brings the intensity and competitiveness of football directly to players. While EA's Ultimate Team, the online mode, garners much of the attention, the Franchise Mode remains a popular choice for those seeking an offline experience.
Although it's possible to choose the best NFL teams in this mode and control football stars, the real thrill for many lies in taking charge of teams that haven't had strong seasons in recent years. This allows for a complete rebuild, overhauling the roster, developing new talent, and transforming a struggling team into a competitive one, eventually making it to the Super Bowl.
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10 Chicago Bears
A Team With Great Offensive Formation
- OVR: 83
- OFF: 83
- DEF: 83
Some players don't enjoy playing the defensive side of football games. So, for those who prefer to stay on the attack, the Chicago Bears offer one of the most promising options of the year. In addition to Keenan Allen and DJ Moore, wide receivers with OVRs above 89, the team made solid moves in the transfer market.
The most notable was the selection of QB Caleb Williams, who was the first pick in the season's draft and has the highest rating of any rookie in the game. Thus, the team has great offensive power, which can be further improved either by adding new players to the roster or by developing the wonderkid Williams.
9 New Orleans Saints
In Search Of The Perfect Quarterback
- OVR: 81
- OFF: 80
- DEF: 83
The quarterback position is the most important in football, and any team that wants success on offense needs a good player. When taking over the New Orleans Saints, this will be the players' main challenge. Derek Carr, with an OVR of 75, is already 33 years old, and the backup options aren't great.
Another reason that the New Orleans Saints provide a good challenge in Madden NFL 25 is that when reaching the first offseason in Franchise Mode, many players will need contract renewals. However, the salary won't fit within the team's cap. Therefore, players will need to do a good job managing finances.
8 Indianapolis Colts
Rebuilding With Offensive Potential
- OVR: 80
- OFF: 84
- DEF: 77
With quarterback Anthony Richardson ready for his first full season after an injury, the Indianapolis Colts offer an excellent rebuilding opportunity in Madden NFL 25. With talents like Jonathan Taylor and Quenton Nelson, the team has a solid foundation, but the chance to develop Richardson and young wide receivers like Josh Downs and Adonai Mitchell truly shines.
Despite starting with a defense that may seem weak, the real fun in Franchise Mode will be strengthening this area over the seasons. Building a robust defense combined with the evolution of offensive talents could turn the Colts into a strong contender in the AFC South, challenging the division's more established teams.
7 New England Patriots
Time To Renew The Team
- OVR: 80
- OFF: 79
- DEF: 83
In the past decade, led by Tom Brady, the New England Patriots were one of the most feared franchises in the NFL, winning six Super Bowls since the early 2000s. However, these are now glories of the past. While the team still has good players, the majority of them are aging.
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The main challenge for players here will be rejuvenating the roster by bringing in promising new pieces that, in addition to replacing those who are leaving, will also add depth and quality to the team. With good planning, it's even possible to stage a return to the dominance that lasted until 2018.
6 Buffalo Bills
Building A Team Around Josh Allen
- OVR: 80
- OFF: 81
- DEF: 80
Although the Buffalo Bills have a roster full of good players, the team underwent a significant overhaul. Eight key players left the franchise in the offseason, including names like Stefon Diggs and Tre'Davious White. However, Josh Allen, considered one of the league's top quarterbacks, remains.
When taking over the franchise, players will have a solid foundation to work with. However, the American Football Conference also boasts other great teams, such as the Kansas Chiefs, who won Super Bowl 58. Therefore, in addition to restructuring the team and helping it achieve greater success that has eluded them in recent years, players will also need to overcome formidable opponents.
5 Washington Commanders
An Excellent Choice For The Future
- OVR: 80
- OFF: 79
- DEF: 83
For players interested in a franchise with great potential for development, the Washington Commanders are a strong choice. Although the team's overall rating isn't among the best in the game, the talent the Commanders have acquired in recent seasons makes advancing through the seasons advantageous.
Drafted players like QB Jayden Daniels have enormous potential and, if well-developed, could become the franchise's main star in no time. Fortunately, the Commanders also have other athletes with great potential, such as Johnny Newton and Frankie Luvu. For those who enjoy the idea of long-term development, this is one of the best teams.
4 Seattle Seahawks
A Chance To Save The Team From Freefall
- OVR: 81
- OFF: 81
- DEF: 82
Despite making it to the playoffs recently, the Seattle Seahawks couldn't capitalize on their good form, and the last few seasons haven't been great. However, the franchise has some intriguing players for Franchise Mode in Madden NFL 25, such as WR Tyler Lockett and HB Kenneth Walker III.
The Seahawks, like other league teams, also struggle with the lack of a top-tier quarterback. The best on the team, for example, is Geno Smith, who only has a 78 rating, and the other options aren't promising. Therefore, it's necessary to bring in someone good for the position to elevate the team's status.
3 Las Vegas Raiders
A Solid Base For Improvement
- OVR: 79
- OFF: 80
- DEF: 79
For players who want to build a strong team with the potential to be one of the best in the league, the Las Vegas Raiders are an excellent option. The team has a solid foundation, led by Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams, but it lacks in other areas.
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Like many other teams, the Raiders lack a reliable quarterback on the roster, and the offense has some weak points. Thus, players will need to do some work during the offseason to reinforce these critical positions and get the most out of the franchise in Madden NFL 25.
2 Arizona Cardinals
A Challenge In The Desert
- OVR: 78
- OFF: 79
- DEF: 77
Located in the arid Arizona Desert, the Cardinals enter Madden NFL 25 as one of the most challenging teams for players seeking a complete rebuild experience. With a roster lacking stars in several key positions, the team offers a true test of patience and skill in managing a Franchise Mode.
The defense, while anchored by Budda Baker, needs reinforcements to become competitive. Quarterback Kyler Murray, ranked 18th in the league, offers a mix of potential and fragility. It will require careful work to develop the rest of the roster and turn the Cardinals into a genuine contender in the NFC West or even for the Super Bowl.
1 New York Giants
The Worst Team In The Game
- OVR: 77
- OFF: 77
- DEF: 79
Last NFL season wasn't the worst for the New York Giants, as the team finished the year 6-11. But in Madden NFL 25, they were given the lowest OVR in the game, making them one of the most interesting teams for Franchise Mode. After all, there's nothing more epic than a rags-to-riches story.
Despite the low overall rating from the developers, the team still has some notable players, like DT Dexter Lawrence II, who boasts a rating of 95. However, the team's offense isn't among the best, and improving it in the long term will be a challenging task.
Madden NFL 25
- Released
- August 16, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- EA Tiburon
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- Genre(s)
- Sports
