Madden NFL 26 (8 Common Mistakes): How To Avoid Them That Slow Down Your Progress?

Posted: Aug 20, 2025 Views: 93

Posted: Aug 20, 2025

Source: IGGM

If you are a die-hard Madden NFL player, or at least familiar with the virtual football scene from Madden 25 over the past year, then acclimating to 26 shouldn't be a problem.

But if MUT 26 is your first Madden game, there's a plethora of technical terms, mechanics, and controls to quickly master, leading to a high risk of making mistakes and potentially hindering your progress.

Based on current Madden NFL 26 gameplay, we've compiled eight common mistakes you might encounter early in your game, along with solutions.

Madden NFL 26 (8 Common Mistakes): How To Avoid Them That Slow Down Your Progress?

1. Utilizing The Wrong Passing Style

Madden 26 features four different pass types: Classic, Revamped, Placement, and Placement & Accuracy. They operate slightly differently, and new players might choose a style that is not suitable for them because they are unfamiliar with it.

Therefore, before settling on a primary passing style, it's recommended that you practice and try all of them to get a feel for which one best suits your playing style. Generally speaking, the four styles have the following characteristics respectively:

Classic: As the name suggests, this is the most traditional football passing style.
Revised: A more complex and advanced version of Classic.
Placement: Emphasizes player skill while also incorporating player ratings.
Placement & Accuracy: Focuses entirely on player skill.

If you're unsure which passing style to choose, we recommend trying each one in the order listed above. Once you have mastered the basics of Classic, decide whether to move on other styles.

2. Always Holding Sprint Button

As a beginner, when you see the ball in play, you might instinctively hold down the sprint button in the urgency of passing or scoring. While this can improve your speed, it can also limit your player's options.

This is because constantly sprinting makes it difficult to change direction, making your game controls less responsive. This can lead to missed scoring opportunities and the loss of Madden 26 coins that should have been yours.

For example, for a running back, sprinting quickly can make it more difficult to find a lane. It can also be disadvantageous if you're trying to get your defender to tackle an opposing player, as you should be driving in front of them rather than charging towards them.

3. Ignoring The Playbooks

Madden NFL 26 provides a wealth of playbooks for you to use, covering different styles of play, both offensive and defensive. Sometimes, you might overlook them in your rush to play after setting up your team.

These playbooks provide valuable formations and play combinations, helping you develop better and faster strategies to win games. Don't miss them! And once you become proficient, you can even customize your own playbook!

4. Improperly Utilizing Hot Routes

Hot Routes are a classic Madden mechanic. Before a play begins, you can access Hot Routes option on either the offensive or defensive side to change the route or assignment.

The tricky part is that, as the game continues to update, this mechanic has become more complex, making it easy to misuse it.

Therefore, it's recommended that you utilize Hot Route receivers whenever you notice an exploitable passing play in the defense.

5. Overusing The Hit Stick

In previous Madden NFL games, there was no penalty for frequently using the hit stick to shake the ball carrier to gain an advantage. However, starting with MUT 26, this practice may result in a penalty!

So, when using the hit stick, be sure to consider the player you're using, the player you're attempting to hit with the hit stick, and the situation to determine the best time to use it.

6. Focusing Exclusively On The Present

This mistake typically applies only to Franchise mode, which requires you to plan for the long term. While focusing on winning the next game is important, planning for the team's future shouldn't be neglected either way.

Thus, failing to maintain a balance between these two aspects and neglecting either one can be detrimental to your team's development. For example, focusing solely on the present could lead to difficulties in planning for the future of your players.

7. Ignoring Packages And Coach Adjustments

Before starting a game or playing a specific mode, you need to set a number of options. Two of the most important are packages and coach adjustments, and neglecting or forgetting them can be very troublesome.

Packages modify specific players within a specific lineup or formation, such as replacing a backup running back or switching wide receivers.

Coach adjustments, on the other hand, require you to activate them at the right time to make your players more aggressive in catching the ball or gaining more yards.

8. Poor Offensive Line Performance

Ensuring a strong offensive line is crucial regardless of which mode you choose to play. While acquiring quality offensive line players is challenging, a poor offensive line can make it difficult for your core players to run the offense.

On the other hand, if you have a strong offensive line, even if your players aren't top-tier, you can still accomplish a lot of heavy lifting that wouldn't otherwise be possible.

Of course, completely avoiding these mistakes doesn't guarantee you'll be invincible in Madden MUT 26, but at least it won't disrupt your game progress. If you have made or are likely to make any of these mistakes, correct them now!

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Next: Madden NFL 26 (5 Best Super Bowl Rebuild Teams): What Potential Do They Have?

Previous: Madden NFL 26 (10 Best Superstar X-Factor Abilities): Which Players Can Leverage Them?

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Madden NFL 26 (5 Best Super Bowl Rebuild Teams): What Potential Do They Have?
Every football fan dreams of their team reaching Super Bowl, or even winning the championship. Super Bowl is the annual championship game of National Football League (NFL), and the winner is considered the true world champion.

While every team has its ups and downs, and no one is invincible, some struggling teams frequently miss Super Bowl. Fans know that winning AFC or NFC championship at their current level is an extravagant hope. However, in Madden NFL 26, you can use MUT 26 coins to rebuild your team and lead it to Super Bowl.

1. New York Giants (79 OVR)

Top Overall Rated Players:
- 97 OVR Dexter Lawrence, DT
- 88 OVR Andrew Thomas, LT
- 87 OVR Malik Nabers, WR
- 86 OVR Bobby Okereke, MLB
- 86 OVR Brian Burns, RE
New York Giants are one of the oldest NFL franchises, founded in 1925. Team founder Tim Mara borrowed the name Giants from baseball. Giants have won four NFL championships and two Super Bowl titles (Super Bowl XXI in 1986 and Super Bowl XXV in 1990).

New York Giants' current roster isn't particularly strong in the league, with their offense in particular, relying heavily on the health of several key players. They're in the competitive NFC East, where strong teams like Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys are competing, making advancement extremely difficult. Their hopes of winning a Super Bowl in the near future are slim, and a more realistic goal may be securing a playoff spot.

You need to take a long-term view and solidify the defense around Dexter Lawrence. Malik Nabers could become Giants' spearhead, and around him, you can select offensive prospects.

2. Tennessee Titans (80 OVR)

Top Overall Rated Players:
- 92 OVR Jeffery Simmons, DT
- 91 OVR Kevin Zeitler, RG
- 86 OVR Tony Pollard, RB
- 84 OVR L'Jarius Sneed, CB
- 81 OVR Calvin Ridley, WR
Titans, formerly Houston Oilers, moved to Tennessee and changed their name to Titans. They reached Super Bowl in the 1999 season, but lost to St. Louis Rams. The team has been competitive in recent years but has yet to reach the highest level again.

The team is still a long way from reaching Super Bowl, and they will face tough competition in AFC South against young teams like Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. The best approach is to use Madden NFL 26 coins to develop a rookie quarterback into the core of the team, which will give Titans a chance to secure a playoff berth.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (79 OVR)

Top Overall Rated Players:
- 90 OVR Josh Hines-Allen, RE
- 87 OVR Foyesade Oluokun, MLB
- 85 OVR Devin Lloyd, ROLB
- 84 OVR Brian Thomas Jr., WR
- 84 OVR Travis Hunter, CB
Jacksonville Jaguars, founded in 1993 and debuting in 1995, are one of NFL's younger franchises. The team has won AFC Central division twice but has yet to win a Super Bowl.

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence received a somewhat unrealistic rating in Madden 26, but this is their biggest asset in their pursuit of a strong finish. Travis Hunter, a versatile two-way player, is also a formidable weapon for Jaguars. Furthermore, they play in a relatively competitive AFC South, which increases their chances of winning the division and reaching the playoffs.

4. Indianapolis Colts (81 OVR)

Top Overall Rated Players:
- 92 OVR Quenton Nelson, LG
- 88 OVR DeForest Buckner, DT
- 88 OVR Jonathan Taylor, RB
- 88 OVR Kenny Moore II, CB
- 87 OVR Charvarius Ward, CB
Indianapolis Colts, formerly Baltimore Colts, won Super Bowls V and XLI. The team enjoyed a long period of competitive success under quarterback Peyton Manning, winning Super Bowl in 2006.

Colts have recently been plagued by injuries, particularly at cornerback. Although slot cornerback Kenny Moore II has recovered from his knee injury and returned to practice, several players vying for the starting outside cornerback position have been injured. This prompted the team to sign former Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard (who hasn't played in over a year).

Colts have some talent players, especially at running back, but the odds of reaching Super Bowl are slim at this point and a playoff berth is a more realistic goal. And if you want to improve your team, acquiring a reliable quarterback is paramount. Whether you use MUT 26 coins to develop a rookie or trade for a strong quarterback from another team, this can completely revitalize the team.

5. New York Jets (81 OVR)

Top Overall Rated Players:
- 94 OVR Sauce Gardner, CB
- 91 OVR Quinnen Williams, DT
- 86 OVR Garrett Wilson, WR
- 84 OVR Alijah Vera-Tucker, RG
- 84 OVR Breece Hall, RB
New York Jets were founded in 1959 as New York Titans before changing their name to their current name in 1963. The team's crowning glory came in 1968, when they defeated Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, becoming the first AFL team to defeat an NFL club. However, Jets haven't won a Super Bowl since.

Jets have recently been actively working to strengthen their defensive tackle position, a previously weak link on their roster. They acquired Harrison Phillips from Minnesota Vikings and Jowon Briggs from Cleveland Browns.

The team's defense is already strong, boasting players like Quinnen Williams, and these defensive tackle additions further enhance the roster. However, they face a tough AFC East division, facing Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and New England Patriots twice a year. However, under Aaron Glenn's leadership, they are more competitive than ever.

The above are the five teams worth rebuilding in Madden NLF 26. These teams are currently struggling to compete for Super Bowl. You need to decide which rookies to train and make up for the team's weaknesses based on the actual situation of the team.
Madden NFL 26 (10 Best Superstar X-Factor Abilities): Which Players Can Leverage Them?
Whether you choose to lead an existing team directly into competition or create your own team in a specific mode, virtually all available Madden 26 players have the potential to receive bonuses beyond their base stats.

For example, the best-performing player on any team can receive a buff from Superstar X-Factor abilities. This not only increases the team's chances of winning and earning more Madden NFL 26 coins, but also potentially makes that player a potential MVP candidate.

With that in mind, we'll introduce the 10 best Superstar X-Factor abilities currently in the game and identify the players best suited to receive them.

1. Edge Threat
- Maxx Crosby - Defensive End - Las Vegas Raiders
- Aidan Hutchinson - Defensive End - Detroit Lions
As a defensive ability, Edge Threat allows players to better evade blockers and penetrate the opposing quarterback through pass defense, threatening the opposing offensive line on the snap and making their team's defense more reliable.

When your players engage the opposing offensive line using Edge Threat, the ability can also gain an elite enhancement, further applying pressure on the opposing quarterback.

2. Slot-O-Matic
- Cooper Kupp - Wide Receiver - Seattle Seahawks
- Ladd McConkey - Wide Receiver - Los Angeles Chargers
In the right offensive system, slot receivers are already reliable enough, and adding Slot-O-Matic makes that even more apparent. This ability allows receivers to cut faster and increase their catch rate when within ten yards of the original line of scrimmage.

If you prefer a pass-rushing style when playing MUT 26, you'll want to keep your slot receivers in the lineup by adding Slot-O-Matic.

3. Unstoppable Force
- Myles Garrett - Defensive End - Cleveland Browns
- T.J. Watt - Defensive End - Pittsburgh Steelers
Once any defensive player gains Unstoppable Force, they can more quickly escape one-on-one pass blockers and threaten the opposing quarterback once the opponent is within their reach. If you want your defender to suppress the opposing offense, this ability is a must-have.

4. Acrobat
- Ja'Marr Chase - Wide Receiver - Cincinnati Bengals
- Sauce Gardner - Cornerback - New York Jets
- Xavier McKinney - Strong Safety - Green Bay Packers
One of the advantages of this ability is that it works for both offensive and defensive players. Acrobat allows players to utilize more skillful moves, such as diving or blocking, when catching or defending a pass to complete the pass more successfully.

Also, if two players have this ability and are facing each other, be prepared for some high-flying jumpers when you pass the ball to them.

5. Bazooka
- Josh Allen - Quarterback - Buffalo Bills
- Patrick Mahomes - Quarterback - Kansas City Chiefs
Bazooka focuses on improving the quarterback's explosiveness by increasing the distance of their deep passes, allowing them to throw the ball further downfield. This is a great fit if you have a player on your team who loves to throw the ball deep.

6. One Step Ahead
- Jalen Ramsey - Cornerback - Pittsburgh Steelers
When a defensive back utilizes "shutdown corner," he can negate nearly any pass thrown to him, especially when facing off against another receiver.

One Step Ahead further enhances this play, allowing the defender with the ability to react more quickly to the receiver's cuts and stop the passing game.

7. Route Technician
- Justin Jefferson - Wide Receiver - Minnesota Vikings
- Brock Bowers - Tight End - Las Vegas Raiders
- Davante Adams - Wide Receiver - Los Angeles Rams
This ability is ideally used in conjunction with One Step Ahead. Together, they allow receivers to create more separation between themselves and defenders on the final step of their passing routes.

Typically, only top-tier wide receivers and tight ends can directly execute this play, but with Route Technician and One Step Ahead, your players can become a threat on offense.

8. Bruiser
- Joe Mixon - Running Back - Houston Texans
- Josh Jacobs - Running Back - Green Bay Packers
This ability allows your running back to effectively tackle defenders with increased forward momentum and strong arm strength. If you position a running back with Bruiser in the backfield, opposing teams will be left with no defense.

Also Read: How Will Washington Commanders' Roster Changes Impact Madden NFL 26? - Player Ratings & Team Tactics

9. Set Feet Lead
- Joe Burrow - Quarterback - Cincinnati Bengals
If you want your quarterback to pass the ball smoothly, you need to ensure they're properly grounded and positioned, and locked onto their target before throwing the ball. Set Feet Lead increases the chances of them successfully completing these actions.

This means that with Set Feet Lead, your quarterback will pass the ball faster and more accurately while stationary. All you need to do is to be patient during their throws.

10. YAC 'Em Up
- George Kittle - Tight End - San Francisco 49ers
- CeeDee Lamb - Wide Receiver - Dallas Cowboys
YAC 'Em Up helps your receiver break the first tackle after catching the ball. Breaking the tackle in open field position increases your team's chances of scoring six points.

That's all for this tutorial. In fact, during the actual game, you can also explore more Superstar X-Factor abilities and suitable player combinations beyond our recommended lineups! Have fun!
Madden NFL 26 (6 Underrated Players In Franchise Mode): How To Build The Best Roster On A Smaller Budget?

How to choose the best roster for your team in Madden NFL 26 Franchise Mode has always been a question that has plagued many players.

Of course, we all know that higher-rated players are more effective at winning games, but acquiring them on the market can be incredibly difficult and expensive. Especially in the early stages of the game, the chances of prying away players like Patrick Mahomes, Justin Jefferson, and Micah Parsons are practically zero.

Therefore, instead of spending a fortune on star players, it's better to take a long-term view and invest in lesser-known players in Franchise Mode. Compared to more famous and legendary athletes, signing them costs far less Madden 26 coins. With careful development, you can lead these underrated future stars to new heights of glory.

With these reasons in mind, here are six players worth investing in Franchise Mode. You can use them to replace your bench players. Their exceptional individual skills and immense potential can significantly improve your team and fully utilize your playbook.

1. Troy Andersen (Atlanta Falcons) - 71 OVR

Troy Andersen is a linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL. Although he only has a 71 OVR, his strengths lie in run defense and pursuit.

Andersen boasts 91 speed and 93 acceleration, meaning he can quickly cover a wide area once he's in motion. Furthermore, at approximately 1.93 meters tall and with an 86 jumping ability, he can leap high to catch the ball, especially in contested situations.

To acquire Troy Andersen, you'll need at least a 70 OVR player and a 2026 fifth-rounder. Believe it or not, with your efforts, he can become your team's most dazzling All-Star player.

2. Anthony Richardson Sr. (Indianapolis Colts) - 72 OVR

If your team is currently lacking a standout quarterback, consider Indianapolis Colts' Anthony Richardson. Don't let his current 72 OVR fool you; his impressive individual stats will definitely impress, especially his 91 speed and 92 acceleration, which make him an actual threat in close contact.

Additionally, his arm strength is quite strong, and his 96 throwing power and 83 accuracy stats mean Richardson can throw the ball with considerable velocity and impressive accuracy.

Of course, these stats alone would clearly place him among the top players, but the key reason he's currently severely underrated is his 61 awareness.

While awareness isn't the most important attribute, it does impact a player's reactions to various game situations. For quarterbacks in particular, awareness not only affects their response to route selection but also their reaction time during the scramble.

But if you're not currently simming, Anthony Richardson Sr. is still well worth the investment.

To acquire Richardson, your smartest move would be to trade for a player with an OVR between 74 and 79, who the Indianapolis Colts desperately need. These players are typically stable starters or high-end backups. However, compared to a quality quarterback who can quickly bring explosiveness to your team, this trade is definitely a bargain.

3. Roger Rosengarten (Baltimore Ravens) - 74 OVR

If you're looking for an offensive lineman, Roger Rosengarten of the Baltimore Ravens could be a good option.

Rosengarten has an overall rating of 74 and the Agile Archetype. As a right tackle, his best blocking attribute is 85 Impact Blocking, and his Stamina rating is also quite impressive at 87.

While this player's overall rating isn't the highest on this list, with 82 strength and 81 pass-blocking finesse, he'll be an excellent pass-blocker, especially against players who rely on finesse moves. However, you might want to be wary of larger, more powerful defensive linemen, as they could be the biggest threat to Rosengarten.

It's worth noting that signing Rosengarten was quite easy, requiring only a third-round pick, which is a steal considering his performance!

4. Oluwafemi Oladejo (Tennessee Titans) - 74 OVR

On defense, another player worth keeping an eye on is Tennessee Titans defensive back Oluwafemi Oladejo. His overall rating is 74, but as a rookie, his 85 speed and 87 acceleration give him a very capable pass-rushing ability.

With such strong ratings, Oladejo is very effective, especially if he also possesses other strong attributes like agility, route running, or catching. It all depends on your investment and development.

On defense, there's another second-round pick who's easy to acquire early in franchise mode. Oluwafemi Oladejo, a defensive back out of Tennessee, has a 74 overall rating, 85 speed, 87 acceleration, and a decent pass rush as a rookie.

Since Oluwafemi Oladejo is only a second-round rookie, he's easy to acquire early in franchise mode. All you need to get him is a position player with an OVR of 72-75, a 2026 third-round pick, and a future mid-rounder!

5. TreVeyon Henderson (England Patriots) - 76 OVR

Next is TreVeyon Henderson, a standout running back prospect from the Patriots. His core traits are agility and elusiveness. Henderson's speed, acceleration, and agility ratings are 91, 90, and 86, respectively, making him a great runner, making him difficult to tackle and more effective at evading opposing offenses.

Notably, his carrying rating is a whopping 94, meaning he's very adept at avoiding fumbles. High ball-handling rates are crucial for running backs and other players who frequently touch the ball, as they directly impact the likelihood of fumbles.

TreVeyon Henderson is one of the Patriots' top-rated running backs, so trading him for a 2026 second-rounder and a mid-to-high 70th overall pick would be a solid investment.

6. DJ Turner II (Cincinnati Bengals) - 79 OVR

Finally, we'll mention Cincinnati Bengals cornerback, 79 OVR DJ Turner II. It's no secret that finding a great corner is inherently difficult, and a good cover corner is even harder. However, DJ Turner II offers the perfect solution at a very reasonable price.

As a corner, his strongest defensive attribute is Zone Coverage, rated 77. His most notable overall rating is Acceleration, rated 97. His coverage skills, 77 Zone and 76 Man, are well-balanced, making him a versatile player on the court.

Players with these ratings are valuable additions to your team, as they can adapt to various defensive strategies and coverages.

You can acquire him in exchange for a mid-level player, a 2026 third-rounder, and a few other future picks. Such a balanced defensive player will definitely be the highlight of your team.

In short, these players are excellent additions to your Franchise Mode lineup, saving you more money and holding significant potential to secure a spot in the championship!
Madden NFL 26 Coins Farming In Ultimate Team: How To Earn More?
Even after numerous updates, Ultimate Team remains one of the most important modes in Madden NFL series. It not only offers exciting online football matches but also serves as a primary source of coins.

Madden 26 has only recently launched, so quickly farming a large number of Madden 26 coins is paramount. Sufficient coins are essential for unlocking more players, building a stronger team, and gaining a deeper understanding of MUT 26 experience.

Based on this, we will provide a brief introduction to Ultimate Team and a guide to farming coins in the mode.

Introduction To Madden 26 Ultimate Team

The updated Madden 26 Ultimate Team further expands the number and variety of game items, helping you enhance your strategic depth and expand your roster. You can also earn generous rewards in both single-player and multiplayer modes.

In Season 1, you can compete against opponents in H2H or CPU modes through the preseason standout program, Long Drive, or experience even more engaging Ultimate Team matchups with these new events:
- Campus Heroes
- Campus Chaos
- Game Time
- Trick-or-Treat CPU event
Why Should You Earn Madden 26 Coins?

As the primary in-game currency, MUT 26 coins can be redeemed for most items in Ultimate Team shop and for players in daily play, so you'll want to farm them wherever you can!

Complete More Challenges

Ultimate Team offers numerous challenges, each rewarding you with coins. Luckily, most challenges are easy to complete, and new ones are constantly being added in the game, ensuring you always have easy ways to earn coins.

Madden NFL 26 also includes more updates to challenge gameplay, such as recalibrating the star rating to better reflect challenge difficulty - one-star challenges will be easier, while five-star challenges will reward you more coins.

Some challenges also allow you to freely choose their difficulty, providing more flexibility in completing them.

Earn More Pass XP Rewards

Madden NFL 26 offers Seasonal Event Pass and Weekly Spotlight Pass in Ultimate Team, each offering rewards in different ways. You can earn coins directly or by selling player cards.

Seasonal Event Pass allows you to capture exciting matches and combine Ultimate Team events into a dedicated pass, providing more flexible reward mechanics and a more consistent experience throughout the season.

Even if you're a solo player, Madden 26 Seasonal Event Pass is suitable for you, as this year's single-player event lineup will be included.

Weekly Spotlight Pass, on the other hand, showcases specific events throughout the year in a shared venue pass format, offering more flexible rewards and progression.

In addition, all weekly events will share a single token, providing greater flexibility and control over rewards. The first Weekly Spotlight Pass will include Legends, Team of the Week, and Collector's Series.

Check The Auction House Frequently

As we've mentioned, besides earning coins directly, selling player cards for cash is also a great way to earn coins. However, you shouldn't sell cards randomly; you should regularly check the auction house to determine which players to sell.

For example, if there are player cards that other players desperately need but you don't care about, or if you stumble upon a valuable player card but your team is already full, these are excellent candidates to sell.

Or, if you have more time, you can keep an eye on the auction house, acquire certain cards when they're less noticeable, and then sell them immediately when their value increases!

Get More Card Packs

This method is actually related to the auction house recommendations. That is, if you want to acquire valuable player cards to sell through Ultimate Team, you need to open the appropriate packs based on the auction house to get the highest-value players possible.

If you own Madden NFL 26 Deluxe Edition, Pregame Access packs will offer a number of highly rated players. In addition, the daily packs and 12x Player Beginner packs redeemed with points will also provide you with many regular cards to sell.

To ensure a consistent income from packs, Madden 26 will continue to introduce more events and reward packs, so you'll need to stay tuned.

What Is Pack Helper?

Previously, opening packs and switching back and forth between the auction house and lineup selection in-game was a cumbersome process. Therefore, Madden NFL 26 has introduced a new feature called Pack Helper.

This feature allows you to instantly view the value of new players to determine if they're better than your current starters. You can also learn more about their play, auction house performance, and more.

To ensure the ultimate convenience of Pack Helper, all of this is done with just two taps on a card. Each insight is optional, whenever you want to view a card, the feature quickly and seamlessly switches you back and forth.

Ultimate Team is just one mode in the game where you can farm coins. If you want to earn more coins, it's important to familiarize yourself with the other modes as well! Start working on them now!
Madden NFL 26 Scouting In Franchise Mode: How To Set It Up To Lead Your Team To Victory?

In any competitive team sport, victory depends on ensuring their team is free of any players who might be a drag. While training is important, drafting talented players from the outset is even more crucial!

Just like in the real world, when you play Madden 26, in addition to playing as a player or coach, you can also use the scouting feature to secure promising rookies for your team during the draft.

While this feature isn't particularly difficult to use in-game due to its limited controls, we've provided a guide to help you avoid any mistakes and secure the ideal player.

What Is Scouting?

When you decide to play Franchise mode, you'll need to assemble your own team. Unlike other modes, Franchise mode requires you to first scout and draft players through Road to the Draft.

Road to the Draft involves multiple steps, and having a scout identify promising players is the most important first step. This determines whether you can secure a solid draft pick and subsequently earn Madden 26 coins by winning enough games.

How To Set Up Scouting?

After the first week of Road to the Draft begins, you can begin hiring scouts and assigning them to the five countries or regions you want to focus on in search of promising football prospects (one scout will be assigned to the national team).

Each team can have one three-star, one two-star, and three one-star scouts, each with two specialized areas corresponding to the positions on the field. However, scouts' areas of expertise may overlap or conflict with each other.

It's important to note that when hiring scouts, their areas of expertise should be aligned with the regional strengths of the prospective draftees to increase your chances of securing the desired player and gain a better understanding of the potential draftees' abilities.

What Is Focus Scouting?

After completing your initial scouting assignments during the third week of Road to the Draft, you can set focus scouting for each region to direct scouts' efforts toward developing players at specific positions.

Furthermore, focus scouting feature for national team scouts will only be unlocked after scouts from the other four regions have completed this phase and after Week 8.

When setting focus scouting, if you focus entirely on a single position, you might be able to secure multiple high-quality starters at key positions like cornerback or offensive line. However, if your team has many openings, it's best to select players based on your specific positional needs.

Super Focus Scouting

In Week 13 of the draft, a new phase called Super Focus Scouting will launch. This feature allows you to select your three most promising players for a truly comprehensive scoping experience.

To do this, you need to understand your team's recruiting needs and potential draft positions. For example, if your goal is to make the playoffs, those players may no longer be available by the time you draft.

What Are Mock Drafts?

Franchise mode will hold five mock drafts throughout the season to give you a rough idea of how the first round of the draft will unfold. The first mock draft will take place in Week 6 of Road to the Draft, with the others taking place during the offseason.

Mock drafts can help you assess a player's potential and determine how they might perform in the official draft, but they should only be used as a guide.

Scouting Players Through Combine & Pro Day

After completing their scouting, scouts will assign a grade to each player based on a series of attributes collected, giving you a more intuitive understanding of their strengths.

However, these attributes don't include physical qualities like speed, leaping, and change of direction, but they are important components of a player's overall developmental profile and are essential to understand. Combine & Pro Day will provide a way to understand these qualities.

Combine & Pro Day are essentially offseason physical testing sessions for college rookies. They assess players' physical abilities through tests like the 40-yard dash, bench press, and other tests for your reference.

By combining these physical stats with your scouting results, you'll have a good idea of who your best players are and who might be suitable to fill your team's openings.

How To Build Your Board?

By the time the draft arrives, if you've properly managed your scouting, you should have ample scouting knowledge for many of the positions you need, allowing you to build your board accordingly.

If you're in an online franchise and can't pause the draft, resulting in a tight scouting and recruiting schedule, building your board using the favorites selection tool will make it easier to get a comprehensive overview of all players and avoid making hasty decisions.

Of course, if you can pause the draft to free up more time to scout and select players, this method isn't necessary. Regardless, when making your selection, be sure to combine your scouting knowledge with Combine and Pro Day results to assess player quality.

In short, by mastering these techniques, you'll have a greater chance of discovering truly talented players or overlooked "treasures" through the draft, building a strong team of rising stars and earning both in-game honors and rewards! Believe in yourself!
Madden NFL 26 Best Defensive Playbooks: How To Choose The Best Plays To Stop The Opponent's Offense?

If your playbooks are frequently broken by the opponent's sudden offense, then I'd say there's definitely something wrong with your defense. You need to fix your defense immediately, or else your entire offensive game will be a joke.

But please note that defensive playbook construction in Madden NFL 26 is completely different from offensive playbook construction. This is because defense is always more focused on stopping the offense's offense rather than focusing on specific plays to maximize the effectiveness of specific players.

Therefore, a good defense is more flexible and adaptable, requiring you to create different playbooks based on the situation on the field, and the coordination of every player is crucial.

Honestly, Madden's playbooks this year are generally excellent. Most of the playbooks in the game are viable to some degree, but here I'll only analyze my favorites.

Packers Playbook

First, the first defensive playbook we'll discuss is Packers Playbook. I chose Packers for two main reasons. The first is its 4-3 and even 6-1 defense.

4-3/6-1

This formation has been widely used for years, and it's been excellent, especially for players who prefer a strong pass rush and focus on stopping the run.

But it's even more effective now because the 4-3 defense allows you to utilize a variety of blitz strategies, including zone blitzes, where linebackers or defensive backs can drop into coverage while the other defenders rush the passer.

Not only that, you can also adjust the 4-3 defense based on the opponent's offensive tendencies. If they rely heavily on the ground game, you can switch to a more run-stopping formation. It's excellent against run-heavy offenses because it's so tight and compact. Therefore, it's simply one of the best formations in the game, and you definitely want to add it to your playbook.

Dime 3-2

Another reason Packers make this list is their Dime 3-2, which is almost a meta-formation every year. This formation uses three defensive linemen, two linebackers, and six defensive backs, making it a pass-heavy defense. It's designed to defend against passing plays, especially when the offense uses multiple wide receivers.

Dime 3-2 excels at limiting passing yardage and effectively defending short and intermediate routes. However, it's vulnerable to strong run attacks, especially if the backs and defensive line aren't strong enough against the run.

I do think this formation lacks a baseline, but it will become even better at some point in the future, especially during the rise of loop blitz. Therefore, having this formation is always beneficial, and to some extent, it will be your comfort zone.

So, whether it's Dime 3-2, the 4-3, or even the 6-1, Packers are worth adding to your playbook. Furthermore, there are only a few playbooks in MUT 26 that include both formations, so they have considerable potential.

Patriots Defense Playbook

Then there's Patriots Defense Playbook, which is the playbook I personally use. I prefer it because I'm less concerned about defensive costs right now. However, for some players currently on a limited Madden NFL 26 coins budget, this playbook may receive mixed reviews.

Dime 1-4

To get back to the point, Patriots' Dime 1-4 is the key to this playbook's success. With four linemen and six defensive backs, this formation is a strong option against the pass. The addition of defensive backs makes it particularly effective against the pass.

However, be aware that if the linebackers are short and the defense is prone to gaps, Dime 1-4 formation is vulnerable to run threats.

Thus, timely adjustments are key. To mitigate run threats, players often need to make adjustments, such as moving the line or using zone coverage. Therefore, you need to have a few suitable substitutes ready to adjust the playbook, which is why this formation is not suitable for players on a low budget.

In short, Dime 1-4 is a good option for pass defense, but it requires careful adjustments to effectively defend against the run. By understanding its strengths and weaknesses and utilizing key mechanics like run plays and blitzes, players can fully utilize this formation.

3-4 Odd

I'm also a big fan of their 3-4 Odd formation. This is a popular defensive scheme in Madden, featuring a three-man defensive line and four linebackers. This formation is known for its flexibility in both run and pass defense, often utilising blitzes and cover pressures. In my opinion, it's practically a must-play formation.

To maximise the effectiveness of 3-4 Odd formation, you need defensive linemen who are agile and capable of penetrating the backfield.

Because the 3-4 Odd defensive formation emphasises double-gap play, each defensive lineman needs to control two gaps on either side of their formation. This allows the defensive linemen to form a strong and stable formation, disrupting opposing blocking schemes and preventing running backs from reaching the secondary.

In short, these high-intensity defensive tactics will give you a lot of options. If you often use zone defense and have multiple well-rounded linebackers, you can use these formations even if the offense has three wide receivers on the field, ensuring that your offense has no blind spots. Mastering all of these formations will allow you to flexibly adjust your formation and be invincible on the field.