Madden NFL 26 Getting Big New Update on September 17

A new update is coming to *Madden NFL 26* on September 17th. EA Sports says this patch will improve coaching adjustments based on what players have been saying, and it will also fix some visual glitches and problems with how players controlled by the computer behave.

The next major update for *Madden NFL 26* will arrive almost three weeks after the content patch released on August 28th. That earlier patch added three European stadiums to the game. This new update mainly improves the Cover 2 and Cover 4 defensive strategies, making it a little easier for defenders to cover receivers during long plays. The August update also included a new offensive playbook, “Benkert’s Dimes,” created with Kurt Benkert, and this playbook will be updated regularly throughout the NFL season.

Two weeks into the NFL season, *Madden NFL 26* revealed its next update, arriving on all major platforms on Wednesday, September 17th. Once installed, players will find a new coaching feature allowing them to customize default pass protection to better fit how they play. This is similar to an update recently added to *EA Sports College Football 26*, creating a consistent experience between the two games. The update will also fix a bug that caused the pass protection menu to freeze.

I’m really excited to hear they’re polishing up the game even more! They’re going to improve the sound and visuals in all the stadiums, which is awesome. And get this – they’re fixing a hilarious bug where Josh Allen would carry the football like it was a loaf of bread during option plays! Seriously, it was a funny glitch, but glad it’s going away. They’re also making online play more stable, especially in 6v6 and Sick Six, so hopefully fewer disconnects and smoother gameplay for everyone.

EA Sports is working to fix problems in *Madden NFL 26*’s Franchise Mode, including one where players sometimes play the wrong position. They’ve also confirmed they’ll address an issue with wear and tear sliders not showing up, though they haven’t said when that fix will be released.

Madden NFL 26 Title Update Patch Notes (September 17, 2025)

Gameplay

Pass Blocking

Added a new Coaching Adjustment option allowing you to set your default pass protection scheme—choose from Base, Empty, Half Left, Full Left, Half Right, Full Right or Default.
- Dev Note: For players who don’t want built-in pass protections on passing plays, we have included a new Coaching Adjustment to allow players to choose the default protection for all dropback passing plays. When toggling this option in, players will still have the ability to change their protection before the play via the Pass Protection adjustments menu.
Fixed an issue sometimes causing the pass protection adjustment menu to get stuck in an open state after selecting a protection adjustment.
Made improvements to blocking logic for better targeting and improved protection on Shotgun Play Action plays
Tuning done to shorten the wait time after failed pass rush moves to improve pocket degradation over time.
Enhanced QB Contain logic to ensure defenders contain more effectively
- Dev Note: This was a two-part fix where we fixed disengages from blocks and pursuit of quarterbacks scrambling outside the pocket. For the second part, we resolved an issue where defenders would incorrectly abandon their Contain assignments in favor of executing pass rush moves.
Addressed an issue with pass rush move selection logic to reduce excessive use of Rip moves and ensure more realistic, ratings-driven defender behavior.

Run Game

Fixed an issue allowing a short, artificial speed boost to the ball carrier when using Truck in open space (Air Truck).
- Dev Note: The truck animations and transitions from truck to locomotion have been modified to more accurately reflect the movement speed of the ball carrier as the truck ends, and the transition has been tuned to keep the speed more consistent.
Fixed an issue causing Duo run plays to be mislabeled as Inside Zone plays.
Decreased the frequency of power non-engaged sheds on run plays.
Added shed timers for defenders who lost their previous defensive move on passing plays.
Edge defenders now steer towards their outside gap for longer to help set the edge on run plays

Passing Game

Increased the minimum for ‘stemmed down’ routes from 1 yard to 3 yards.
- Dev Note: When using the route-stemming feature, certain stemmed-down routes, particularly Corner Routes, became too powerful and difficult to fairly and/or realistically defend. As a result, the minimum stem-depth allowed now is 3 yards. The intent of this change is to preserve the structure and timing of the route, while enabling more realistic and balanced defensive reactions.
Resolved an issue where auto-motion receivers would continue their motion during the Quiet the Crowd animation, users can no longer Quiet the crowd during auto-motion.
Fixed an issue preventing behind-the-line special moves from working when using Gadget players in the QB spot in Wildcat formations.
Fixed an issue causing WR’s to sometimes use fake-out footwork off the snap with no defender nearby.
Fixed an issue preventing the appropriate frequency of catch-knockouts when throwing to a receiver covered by multiple defenders.
- Dev Note: This was the main issue leading to receivers holding onto aggressive catches too much in crowds when the ball should have been knocked out. With this update, outcomes on aggressive catch attempts now more accurately reflect the ratings and physical matchups of the players involved when there is collision at the catch point.
Fixed an issue causing illegal man-downfield penalties to trigger incorrectly on certain play-action boot plays.
Fixed an issue causing no-look passing animations to sometimes trigger on quick throws, like bubble screens.

Pass Coverage

Added a new Coaching Adjustment setting to set the safeties depth at 16 yards.
Updated hook-defender depth with underneath coverage adjustment to play at 5 yards of depth to be in better position to play short routes like drag routes.
Updated hook-defender depth with over-the-top coverage adjustment to play at 12-18 yards of depth to put defenders in better position to take away deeper intermediate routes like deep Digs and Over routes.
Updated vertical-hook zone logic so that it will not match when using coaching adjustments or custom-stem zones.
Updated press-animation logic to ensure defenders trigger press animations requested by the user at the line of scrimmage.
Fixed an issue in Goal Line defense causing the receiver in heavy-personnel formations to be completely uncovered.

Pre-Play Controls

Updated logic so the offense cannot instantly flip the play or audible to a new formation when walking to the line from the huddle
Standardized the hot route timer for all QB’s when breaking the huddle.
- Dev Note: This new timer also applies to how long users need to wait after flipping a play or audibling to a new formation. Stemming a route also counts as a hot route when breaking the huddle. Signature animations for players like Mahomes now have consistent responsiveness resulting in all quarterbacks having the same hot route timing cadence.
Fixed an issue preventing under-center QBs from queuing more than two hot routes at a time.
Fixed an issue causing the TE to motion awkwardly on a series of plays within Gun Y Off Trips Wk (Mtn Y Corner, RPO Alert Mtn Dive, Mtn Shock H Opt)
Fixed an issue preventing the hot-route stem controls from appearing when using mouse & keyboard controls on PC.
Fixed hot route stem control not appearing when using keyboard and mouse.
Tuning to improve avoidance by WR’s in motion at the snap.

AI & Game Logic

Tuning to the Bills Homefield Advantage to reduce excessive kick-meter wobble.
Tuning to improve AI-controlled teams’ clock management, preventing it from calling timeouts right before punting when losing by a large margin.
Fixed an issue sometimes causing a crash when setting QB Throw Style.
Fixed an issue in Goal Line defense causing the receiver in heavy-personnel formations to be completely uncovered.
Fixed a rare issue causing some players in online rosters to appear with generic player models and wearing the incorrect uniform numbers, such as multiple players wearing #11 or #22.

Animation & Visuals

Adjusted Small Agile Back hit stick animations to look more realistic and grounded.
Fixed an issue sometimes causing defenders to warp back to their feet when mid-lunge in tackling.
Fixed an issue allowing late hurdle attempts to cause missed tackles.
Fixed an issue causing Josh Allen to use the incorrect ball-carry style (bread loaf) on read option plays.

Playbooks

Fixed an issue causing the ball to warp on specific Pistol formation handoffs.
Fixed an issue causing the ball to warp when cancelling the handoff on PA Sprint HB Flat plays.
Fixed an issue causing a fumble when snapping the ball in Gun Bunch TE Str MTN RPO Peak Flats.
Fixed a rare issue causing the ball to be snapped well behind the QB on various Pistol and Gun Jet Sweep plays.
Fixed an issue allowing an unnatural speed boost on the In-Corner route within Gun Bunch Offset Close Mesh Rebound, which made it unbalanced.

Presentation

Broadcast Packages
- Fixed issue with missing stats in the Last Week Stats banner after a bye week.
- Fixed issue with Stat Leaders banner for pass yards disappearing too quickly.
- Fixed issue preventing Draft Class banner from appearing during a Sunday Night Primetime game.
NFL Traditions
- Fixed a camera issue for the Cardinals’ Big Red Siren tradition.
Halftime Show
- Fixed issue with missing highlights after using the Resume Game option.
- Fixed an inconsistency with a score shown during a highlight from a game in progress and the subsequent Around the League banner.
Halftime Show / Weekly Recap
- Fixed lighting pop that would sometimes occur at the end of a highlight.
- Tuned logic for highlight selection from a game in progress to reduce the chances of seeing the losing team.
- Tuned logic to prevent non-scrambling QBs from being shown performing long runs.
- Fixed CPU highlight showing right-handed QB throwing left-handed touchdown.
Weekly Recap
- Fixed issue preventing Weekly Recap from being available during the playoffs when a user’s team did not make the playoffs.
Pregame
- Fixed issue with an out-of-focus camera for the Falcon statue at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
- Fixed issue with fog sometimes obstructing mascots during runouts.
- Fixed various camera obstructions and clipping issues with sideline characters.
Drive Starter
- Fixed a broken camera when showing the Stat Leaders banner for a wide receiver.
- Fixed issue with Drive Starter sometimes appearing before Drive Summary when a turnover occurs in Superstar: The League.
Post Play
- Fixed an issue sometimes causing players to appear on the wrong sideline.
- Fixed an issue causing the camera to linger too long after completing a MUT Challenge in one play.

Franchise

Fixed an issue where certain Players would be playing out of position.
- Dev Note: This issue was tied to the Progressive Fatigue setting, we have removed the setting as we’ve introduced Wear and Tear Management. We are also addressing an issue where Wear and Tear sliders are not in Franchise and looking to implement them in a future title update
Fixed an issue with the Nose Tackle archetype’s OVR formula that was causing it to appear different from the front end.
- Dev Note: For new leagues this change will apply immediately. For existing leagues, the formula will apply immediately and for players that had Nose Tackle as their highest rated archetype previously, will appear with their new Nose Tackle OVR until the week is advanced where their highest OVR will be correct.
Fixed an issue where some draft generators were using wrong body types.
- Dev Note: The change will not apply to existing leagues until the next draft class is generated.
Addressed an issue with Importing and Exporting Draft Classes were incorrectly changing Player Body Types
- Dev Note: This update will not address existing Draft classes already in a league.
Addressed an issue where Tight Ends were able to acquire the Universal Coverage Zone Ability
Addressed an issue where Players sustaining a Low Back Strain Injury was treated as a Career Ending Injury
Fixed an issue where coaches and trainers were unlocking abilities in the wrong order
Addressed an issue where the WILL position was prioritized over the SAM position in the Depth Chart when using the reorder feature

Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know we’re looking into a bug where if your head coach leaves in Franchise mode, the CPU sometimes promotes an OC or DC without hiring a replacement. It’s not ideal, and we’re working on a fix that should come in a future update. We’ll keep you posted!

Superstar Mode

Fixed an issue where Season stats were not accessible
Adjusted QB Combine drills
Resolved an issue where selected Gear would appear on the wrong uniform

Ultimate Team

Field Pass, Progression & Rewards

Fixed an issue that prevented certain objectives from appearing in the Field Pass and Team Pass tabs.
Resolved multiple soft lock scenarios when purchasing the Premium Field Pass or entering rewards screens.
Corrected a visual bug where Season 1 Field Pass art would replace Season 2 while active.
Reward icons and token/coin rewards now display consistently across New Items Flow and Rewards Flow.

Lineups & Team Management

Corrected an issue where punters and kickers displayed inflated OVR values when placed at QB.
Fixed chemistry and strategy boosts not displaying correctly, ensuring lineup synergies are accurate.
Improved substitution logic and lineup refresh behavior to prevent errors when managing rosters.

Store & Packs

Restored the “Open Next Pack” callout in reward flows, improving pack-opening speed.
Fixed an issue where packs included inside other rewards were not visible.
Pack Helper tuned to prioritize lineup improvements correctly, avoiding cases where it would recommend removing useful players.

Challenges, Events & H2H

Addressed blockers in Gauntlet events that prevented progress from tracking correctly.
Fixed a bug in H2H Seasons where winning the Super Bowl did not end the season as intended.
Leaderboards now display correctly, fixing issues with empty or undefined rank values.
Corrected star reward tracking in Legendary Challenge packs to ensure proper rewards.

Stability & Disconnects

Fixed multiple soft locks in NUX scenarios, Field Pass purchases, and Preseason Events.
Addressed crashes when loading into Squads crossplay sessions with multiple PC players.
Corrected disconnects during ready-up transitions in H2H and Squads lobbies.
Resolved desyncs in 6v6 and Sick Six modes.

Audio

New music added: Limp Bizkit – “Morgan Wallen”
Fixes for various issues: in-game commentary firing improperly, stadium music adjustments, SFX volume adjustments, mix adjustments for the Halftime Show, & a fix for unintended audio dropouts when adjusting unrelated volume sliders.

UI

Fixed crash when entering Custom Playbooks
Fixed issue with avatar portraits not showing in the Halftime Report
Fixed issues with some in-game banners not showing data or showing incorrect data and other various polish
- Dev Note: This will also include occasionally seeing ‘Eagles vs Chiefs’ in the scorebug during certain moments.
Fixed double score HUD showing after calling a timeout after a play
Korean currency now supported on Switch 2
Fixed issues with Download/Preview/Report function in Download Center
Added and updated various player, coach and avatar portraits

Art

Added additional NFL Player & Coach Likeness Heads:
- 49ers DL Mykel Williams
- Bears WR Luther Burden III
- Bengals LB Demetrius Knight
- Bengals EDGE Shemar Stewart
- Bills CB Maxwell Hairston
- Broncos CB Jahdae Barron
- Browns RB Quinshon Judkins
- Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka
- Cardinals CB Will Johnson
- Chargers RB Omarion Hampton
- Chiefs OT Josh Simmons
- Dolphins DT Kenneth Grant
- Dolphins TE Jonnu Smith
- Eagles LB Jihaad Campbell
- Giants QB Jaxson Dart
- Jets OT Armand Membou
- Jets TE Mason Taylor
- Lions OT Taylor Decker
- Lions DT Tyleik Williams
- Packers WR Matthew Golden
- Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson
- Rams TE Terrance Ferguson
- Ravens S Malaki Starks
- Saints QB Tyler Shough
- Seahawks TE Elijah Arroyo
- Seahawks S Nick Emmanwori
- Seahawks G Grey Zabel
- Steelers DT Derrick Harmon
- Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin
- Texans WR Jayden Higgins
Added New Cleats
- Nike Vapor Edge Speed 360 2
Added New Facemasks
- Axiom Robot Jagged 2
- Axion Grid
- Axiom Robot 808
- Axiom Robot RB Jagged 2
- Axiom 3 Bar RB
- Axiom Robot RB Straight
Added 2 New Coach Wristbands
Added New Undershirt w/4 Color Options

2025-09-17 00:28