Madden NFL 26 is All-In on its ‘Built from Sundays’ Philisophy

Madden NFL 26 is set to release in August, coming behind the release of College Football 26. Expectations are no doubt high for both. Understanding that, developers have set out to make sure that their coverage of the football world is impenetrable. College Football 26 may have the most hype behind it due to the rub of it being relatively new, but Madden NFL 26 also has so much history backing it that it’s impossible to ignore.

Game Rant recently visited EA Tiburon in Orlando, Florida to get all the details on Madden NFL 26‘s upcoming slate of changes and improvements, as well as get to play a couple of games ourselves. What stood out the most in our brief time was how it leverages not only the history of the franchise, but the history of the NFL as well.

Preview: EA Sports College Football 26 is Smartly Building on a Solid Foundation

Game Rant recently played a couple of games of EA Sports College Football 26 while getting a glimpse behind the curtain.

The DNA of the NFL in Madden 26

In an annualized franchise like Madden NFL, it can sometimes be hard to feel the changes, and sometimes it can feel like those changes are made in all the wrong ways. That said, the introduction of QB DNA and Coach DNA in Madden NFL 26 makes as palpable an impact as someone could expect across the span of two games. QB DNA and Coach DNA are designed by an AI learning system that utilizes nearly a decade of real NFL data to create authentic, historied interactions. The coach DNA is a standout of the two because, while coach suggestions have always been a thing, they now feel like something the specific coach would call. Layered on top of that is a brief text box that explains why this play should be utilized and also how much faith the coach has in that play.

With the caveat that Madden NFL 26 is still in development and I played a pre-final version of the game, I feel the need to point out that I encountered a small bug with coach DNA. There was a short period where the coach would recommend plays that he had 0% confidence in. It seemed to go away when the quarter ended, and it had no bearing on if I chose that play and if that play would actually work. It’s just quite funny to see a coach present a play he had no confidence whatsoever in. That said, for the most part, players can expect coach-accurate calls.

Another benefit of this is how it adds an all-important strategic layer to playing against the AI. Gone are the days of lobbing Hail Mary throws or running the same play over and over because the AI could not counter it. Coach DNA, and thus plays the opponent’s calls, reacts to plays made by the player. If they get too repetitive, they are basically handing the AI the counter-play to run. Combined with QB DNA, the gameplay is tighter and more realistic than ever, and I say that with the full knowledge that “most realistic” is often a repeated bumper sticker phrase for Madden NFL games. Quarterbacks are going to react how quarterbacks are known to react, thanks to the same system that powers coach DNA. Players can expect them to make calls based on the QB’s history from their signature throwing motions and specific arm slots to how they act in the pocket and scramble.

Gameplay Features

Coach DNA: Coaches employ real philosophies, backed by nearly a decade of NFL data, with styles like Dan Campbell’s aggressive fourth-down calls and Kevin O’Connell’s creative offense, adding strategic depth. Dynamic coach suggestions and multi-player counters provide smart play recommendations based on game situations and opponent tendencies, countering repetitive tactics.
QB DNA: The most iconic position in sports comes to life with signature throwing motions, pocket presence, scrambling styles, authentic arm slots, and more. An All-New traits system powers authentic behavior like you see every Sunday, from Josh Allen’s powerful arm to Lamar Jackson’s agile evasions. This is the most lifelike quarterback experience in franchise history.
Explosive NFL Movement: Captures the league’s unmatched athleticism, letting you feel the raw power and precision of every burst. From game-changing cuts to electrifying runs, you create the impact that defines Sunday’s Superstars, putting you in control of game-changing NFL speed.
Physics Expansion: Physics-based interactions, including catch tackles, stiff-arms, and trucks, deliver authentic contact outcomes, while new mechanics like Custom Defensive Zones along with new knockouts and swats take pass coverage to a whole new level.
Football Weather: Extreme weather impacts gameplay, with snow, fog, and wet conditions affecting visibility, movement, stamina, and ball security making weather an adversary just like Buffalo and Cleveland in January.
Foundational Football: New mechanics, including Adaptive Coverage, enhanced D-line Stunts & Twists, and block steering, provide unparalleled realism across offense, defense, and special teams.

Game Modes

Presentation: Authentic NFL atmospheres come to life with team-specific run-outs, iconic crowd chants like Minnesota’s Skol, and Baltimore’s electrifying pre-game light show. Dynamic halftime shows, hosted by new addition Scott Hanson, and custom broadcast packages—now featuring primetime slots for Monday, Thursday, and Sunday night matchups—produce a distinct look, sound, and feel.
Franchise: Build your legacy in style with new archetypes and gear for your custom coach or start from a real NFL coach. New features such as playsheets, Wear & Tear and Approval Ratings make every week a unique challenge. Scott Hanson’s Weekly Recaps and Rich Eisen’s commentary highlight a long list of upgrades to the fan-favorite mode.
Superstar: Import your EA SPORTS College Football 26 player or craft a new avatar, to progress through weekly storylines, master the Sphere of Influence system, and achieve 99 OVR – all while balancing Wear & Tear and competing in live events.
Madden Ultimate Team: Build your dream roster with NFL legends and stars, tackle new dynamic MUT Events, and rise through 50-player Leaderboard Campaigns. NFL Team Pass delivers team-specific rewards across online modes, keeping programs fresh and offering ever-evolving ways to play with every new program.
Roster Management: Strategically develop your roster to fit your scheme with modern Depth Chart positions including edge, long snapper, gadget players, and more. Manage weekly performance with the new Wear and Tear system and Dynamic Substitutions

Caught between the worlds of presentation and gameplay is weather, and to rely on the meme a bit, this is football weather. With a couple of new heavy introductions, players can expect even hardened pros to stumble or slip on the cut. This makes every play a touch more unpredictable. Combining this with foundational football being a core pillar of Madden NFL 26, fans can expect football weather to feel like football weather.

Presentation is important; presentation is football. College Football 26 goes a long way in capturing college traditions, and Madden NFL 26 has put together packages, chants, and other presentations that make it feel like Sunday…Monday…and Thursday. Madden NFL 26 introduces custom broadcast packages that have a distinct feel based on primetime slots for these days. There’s a bit more to it, but the presentation is definitely firing on all cylinders. Players can also expect team-specific run-outs, iconic crowd chants, pre-game traditions, and even dynamic halftime shows as hosted by Scott Hanson.

Madden NFL 26

Released: August 14, 2025
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer

Madden NFL 26 releases on August 14 for Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X. Game Rant was provided travel and lodging for the purposes of this preview.