Madden NFL 26 is launching this week and one of the most popular things to do is for fans to rebuild struggling teams in Franchise Mode across multiple seasons with the hope of turning their fortunes around. Alongside Ultimate Team and Superstars, Franchise Mode is one of the confirmed modes for Madden NFL 26. It remains the most important mode for the majority of fans as you look to guide a team of your choice to Superbowl glory.
While most players are likely to simply use their favorite team, a popular option is to try and change the fortunes of franchises that are struggling. Away from the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, who will look for an immediate return to the biggest game in American Football, a lot of other teams can only dream of such seasons. Here are five of the best teams that you can rebuild in Franchise Mode.
Tennessee Titans
The First Draft Pick But Overhaul Needed
One of the most obvious teams to rebuild in Madden NFL 26’s Franchise Mode is the statistically worst team from the previous season. One of three teams with a 3-14 record, the Tennessee Titans had the first pick in this year’s NFL Draft and are a fascinating option. They have a largely weak roster across the board. Lacking experienced veterans or future prospects with one exception.
The organization as a whole is lacking direction, but they have one element which makes a rebuild a very exciting prospect.
With the first pick in the Draft, they selected Quarter-Back Cam Ward. While his first rating in Madden NFL 26 is only 72 overall, he has huge potential and is one that, within a few seasons, could be one of the best in the league. While the player ratings in Madden NFL 26 might not matter to some players, when looking to tackle Franchise Mode, it is vital you use them to look at the best prospects.
Building a team around Ward is the challenge on both sides of the ball and the first season is almost guaranteed to be a struggle. However, with a near blank canvas to start with outside the 1st Draft pick, the Titans are one of the most exciting teams to try and rebuild.
New York Giants
No Clear Direction For Franchise
The New York Giants were another team that had a disastrous season last time, finishing last in the NFC Conference. However, unlike the Titans, they have no clear future QB to carry them through for the foreseeable future. For a rebuild, you need to make a quick call on if Jaxon Dart is the future prospect you want, or if you are looking for an alternative way to go.
The Giants do have some talented rookies that could make for good prospects a few seasons in a Franchise Mode run, especially on defense, but it looks a long road before they could be in serious contention. Malik Nabers, in particular, is one that, after an impressive rookie season, can be developed into a serious threat at Wide Receiver.
Free Agency can make or break Franchise Modes for players, and if you do take on the challenge of rebuilding the New York Giants, it is an area you will need to make the most out of. The above makes them a great choice for a rebuild in Madden NFL 26, as there is still a lot of gaps to fill, as well as talent to nuture.
New York Jets
A Chance To Break The Playoff Run
A similar theme is felt by the other New York team, the Jets. Arron Rodgers’ two-year spell has ended with the team, after it started with so much promise. He has been replaced by Justin Fields at QB, who is coming off his best season in the NFL last year with the Steelers.
As with many of the teams on this list that need a rebuild, a big decision is required at QB.
Fields has enough potential that in the right hand he could lead a team to a Superbowl in Madden NFL 26, but a call needs to be made. Elsewhere, the Jets have a lot of young talent that could grow, but they lack experience around them. A whole rebuild is not needed, but a clear direction for the football team needs to be decided.
Regardless of current rosters, the Jets have an interesting story for those looking to break cycles in a Franchise Mode career. They have the joint-longest run in the NFL at 14 years since their last playoff appearance, making it an interesting challenge for those looking to run a franchise away from the usual suspects.
New England Patriots
A Rebuild Required Post Belicheck
For many fans, this may be an unpopular choice, but an opportunity to rebuild the New England Patriots is one of the most interesting in Madden NFL 26. The powerhouse for nearly two decades, the franchise is heading in one direction following the departures of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
While they don’t have the same struggles currently as the other teams on this list, they aren’t fancied by many for this upcoming season.
This year’s Franchise Mode overhaul has seen a bigger element in coaching, which for many of the struggling teams is as much of an issue as the roster itself. The new features should open up new possibilities for players looking to improve the staff they have to work with.
Ahead of the new season, the Pats have a lot of exciting young players and new stars, but this makes them an interesting option to rebuild. With second-year QB Drake Maye, a potential future star, it is one option to grow a franchise with a QB that isn’t ready-made but doesn’t need replacing.
Cleveland Browns
A Complete Mess That Needs Rebuilding
The third and final 3-14 team from last season, the Cleveland Browns, are largely projected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL for the coming season and a big rebuild is required. The biggest position to get right when building a team in Franchise Mode is at QB, and despite having four, none of them stand out for the Browns in the long term.
Minus stars Myles Garret, Denzel Ward and David Njoku, there is a lack of quality across a variety of positions. However, getting a QB in with potential has to be the priority, but the offense needs a lot of recruitment across its skill positions.
The Browns threatened for a few seasons to push on, but that has failed to materialize, and the franchise is undoubtedly one of the biggest messes in the NFL now. Rebuilding them in Madden NFL 26 and taking them to the Superbowl for the first time remains one of the toughest challenges in Franchise Mode.
