7 Best Teams to Rebuild in Madden 26 Franchise Mode

If you’re finding it tough to choose among the 32 NFL teams for your initial Madden 26 Franchise game, this guide should assist you in identifying your preferred options.

In Madden 26, Electronic Arts introduced an upgraded Franchise mode. The process of crafting your coach begins by choosing your character type, which can be an offensive specialist, defensive strategist, or development whiz. Your selected archetype determines the skills you initially possess, a fresh addition to this game’s version.

From there, you’ll need to assemble a team of coordinators, create weekly game plans, and shape your roster according to your vision. Your success on the field, along with how effectively you manage relationships with the GM, coaching staff, players, fans, and media, will impact your job performance rating. Since this rating determines coaches’ fates at the end of each season, it’s crucial to focus on every aspect of your role. For those who are ready for a challenge, here are some teams that need rebuilding.

Best Teams to Rebuild in Madden 26 Franchise Mode

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns’ squad is brimming with intriguing uncertainties. It seems Deshaun Watson, our starting quarterback, might miss a significant part, if not the entirety, of the upcoming season due to a re-injury to his Achilles tendon. Additionally, there are lingering questions about his future once he returns.

The management of Cleveland’s team acknowledges the need for a new quarterback, and they addressed this issue in the draft by picking Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel in the third round and Colorado’s quarterback in the fifth round. These two players show promising potential, and there is hope that one of them might put an end to the long-standing struggle of not having a star quarterback for the team.

As a gamer, I’ve got to admit, one thing that’s rock solid about the Browns is Myles Garrett. This superstar edge rusher just sealed a whopping four-year $160 million extension in the offseason, making him the highest-earning non-QB in NFL history. On top of that, standout outside linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah also signed a three-year deal, and Denzel Ward is undeniably one of the league’s elite cornerbacks. So, with these building blocks in place, it feels like we’re on the right track for a successful rebuild.

Carolina Panthers

In the past seven years, the Carolina Panthers haven’t qualified for the playoffs, but there’s renewed optimism in Charlotte. Initially, it seemed like Bryce Young wouldn’t meet expectations as the top draft pick in 2023 after being replaced on the team. However, he regained his starting position and displayed moments of promise that suggest he could develop into a strong quarterback.

Carolina showed confidence in their emerging talent by selecting electrifying wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan in the draft last season, and they also made improvements to their offensive line. On the defensive side, Derrick Brown returns after missing the entire previous season, ready to regain his position as one of the league’s top defensive linemen. Additionally, Jaycee Horn has demonstrated that he can be a shutdown cornerback when fit. Although there are still some gaps to address, the team shows promise.

Atlanta Falcons

Discussing seven-year playoff absences, it’s worth noting that Carolina’s NFC South competitor, Atlanta, is experiencing the same drought. The era of Matt Ryan guiding Atlanta deep into postseasons seems like a distant memory now, with fans looking towards Michael Penix Jr. as the fresh leader of the team. The NFL was taken aback when Atlanta selected the Washington quarterback eighth overall in the draft, following a significant Kirk Cousins contract, but this risky move appears to have paid off.

I’ve been following the Falcons closely this season, and it seems like Cousins has had a rocky start. Fortunately, they’ve turned to Penix Jr., who’s still in the development phase but certainly has potential. He’s shown glimpses of becoming that key player we all hope for. Even if he doesn’t quite live up to expectations, the Falcons have a solid lineup elsewhere.

Jessie Bates III is undeniably one of the best safeties in the game right now. Our offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom has been nothing short of remarkable. Then t

Tennessee Titans

In a possible scenario where they missed out on Will Levis, Tennessee opted to change strategies and selected Cam Ward as their first pick in the 2025 draft. Despite EA rating Ward with an overall score of 72 and a Star development trait, there remains a high probability that the Titans have found their long-term quarterback. Although the team’s roster is not particularly strong, Jeffery Simmons demonstrates dominance as a defensive tackle, while Kevin Zeitler proves to be a dependable guard.

Considering that point, rebuilding the Titans will be noticeably harder than other teams on this list, as they boast numerous promising young talents and seasoned veterans. However, the difficulty is what makes the task enticing. From top management to the last player, the team requires a fresh image and a new leader. It’s your mission to figure out the solution to this intriguing dilemma.

New York Jets

For more than a decade now, the Jets haven’t managed to qualify for the playoffs, which makes them tied for the longest dry spell in professional sports across the U.S. Fans held out hope when Aaron Rodgers was signed, but that move didn’t bear fruit, despite having an impressive team on paper.

Following Rodgers’ move to Pittsburgh, the Jets opted for a potentially beneficial decision by recruiting Justin Fields, who was picked 11th overall earlier, as their quarterback. In the off-season, both Sauce Gardner, a stellar cornerback, and Garrett Wilson, an outstanding wide receiver, agreed on four-year contract extensions. The Jets have additional talent to complete their roster, with Quinnen Williams, who consistently performs exceptionally well at defensive tackle, being one of them. While the team has abundant skill, history suggests that it will take more than just talent to turn things around in New York.

New York Giants

Remaining at their current stadium, the Giants face a challenging overhaul as they lack a reliable quarterback to count on. After giving Daniel Jones six years, he didn’t manage to prove his worth for New York. In the 2025 draft, the Giants strengthened an already formidable defensive line by selecting Abdul Carter third overall and Jaxon Dart from Ole Miss with the 25th pick as their new quarterback prospect.

This upcoming season promises a busy time for offensive lines, as they work to control a potent defensive front, including players like Dexter Lawrence II, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Carter. On defense, Bobby Okerke, Jevon Holland, and Paulson Adebo are more standouts, while the talented Malik Nabers at wide receiver should ease the pressure on rookie quarterback Jaxon Dart. To ensure a smooth rebuild, it’s essential to make strategic draft choices and shrewd free agency signings, as the challenge level isn’t overly demanding.

Las Vegas Raiders

In the AFC West, it’s hard to achieve success due to the strong lineup of teams. The Kansas City Chiefs, with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, are a formidable force. Similarly, the Los Angeles Chargers, led by Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert, pose a significant challenge. Lastly, Sean Payton and Bo Nix are working to create something impressive in Denver. Essentially, all three teams have top-tier coaches and quarterbacks, making it tough for Las Vegas to find its footing.

Maxx Crosby, Brock Bowers, Kolton Miller, and possibly Ashon Jeanty form crucial elements that could help improve the team’s fortunes, yet there is much work to be done in order to compete with the tough competition within our division. To succeed, we need to discover a top-notch quarterback and hire a coach who can match wits with football greats.

In the realm of digital sports, it’s worth noting that Rematch was extremely popular in July, ranking high among the most downloaded games. Moreover, a dedicated NBA 2K25 enthusiast splurged an impressive $32,000 within a span of five months on the game.

2025-08-12 07:19