Madden NFL 26 Offensive Playbooks: How To Choose The Best For You?

Posted: Aug 11, 2025 Views: 137

Posted: Aug 11, 2025

Source: IGGM

Whether playing in the real world or in the virtual football world of Madden NFL 26, winning requires developing the most appropriate plays based on the characteristics and playing styles of both your own and the opposing teams.

While the virtual game aims to replicate the authentic baseball experience as closely as possible, there are some areas where technology can be used to “cheat.” For example, in MUT 26, you can directly apply existing playbooks to your team.

Given that most players, including you, are not professional players, having playbooks that can be directly applied can help you avoid trial and error, improve your win rate, and earn more Madden 26 coins to exchange for the players and in-game items you desire.

Based on this, the playbooks in the game are categorized into offensive, defensive, or special playbook types based on the tactics used on the field. You can choose the playbook that best suits your needs within each type.

With this in mind, this article will introduce several best offensive playbooks in Madden NFL 26. You can determine which one to apply to your team based on its specific characteristics.

Madden NFL 26 Offensive Playbooks: How To Choose The Best For You?

Rams

While this playbook doesn't offer much in the way of heavier packages, it does offer interesting variations on your team's more flexible formations.

Take Split WR Backfield formation, for example. This formation places a running back on one side of the quarterback and a wide receiver on the other. If you have a strong wide receiver, this formation allows them to catch the ball more frequently, showcasing their true strength.

Air Raid

Air Raid sticks to the same formation throughout, but once you master its key points and techniques, you can easily utilize it to win most games.

This playbook features formations like the pistol, shotgun, and goal line, perfect for a passing-focused offense with a bit of variety. Furthermore, Air Raid consistently keeps the opposing quarterback under center.

Run Balanced

This playbook includes a variety of heavy formations: I-formation, strong I-formation, weak I-formation, and unique close and long formations.

Therefore, if your team plays a fast-paced, compact offense, Run Balanced offers a variety of different offenses. However, please note that this playbook is not suitable for two-minute drills.

Run 'N' Gun

Because the formations offered are mostly uncommon and not found in other playbooks, Run 'N' Gun may seem a bit disorganized at first. However, once you master their use, you'll be able to maximize the value of all the formations.

Run 'N' Gun focuses primarily on the shotgun formation, but also includes a number of heavy formations that can quickly demoralize the opponent. Overall, it's better suited for teams with many talented players who want to rotate their offense.

West Coast

As a standard offensive playbook, West Coast includes many middle-ground formations, allowing you to run or pass from center or through the shotgun formation, increasing your pre-snap adjustment options.

Compared to other playbooks, West Coast playbook's advantage lies in its unpredictability. Most of its formations and personnel configurations are extremely similar, making it difficult for opponents to predict your ultimate formation and strategy.

Two Back

This playbook deserves special attention because it was newly added to the game through Madden 26 MUT. Its primary purpose is for offenses that have multiple playmakers in the backfield and want to exploit their strengths, such as Team Detroit.

In Madden 26, the passing game now features many defenders who can excel without requiring players to run all the time. Two Back is a great way to leverage this dynamic.

Also Read: What Are The New Highlights Of Prime-Time In Madden NFL 26? - New Introductory Cutscene And Preseason Games

Eagles

Eagles playbook is ideal for teams with many tight ends and want to fully utilize them. Eagles have a wide variety of formations that can utilize multiple tight ends to accomplish any task in the game.

It's important to note that utilizing Eagles requires a strong offensive line to suppress the opponent; otherwise, any goal will be meaningless. If you can achieve this, even a lack of depth at wide receiver won't be a significant issue.

49ers

This playbook is based on San Francisco 49ers' primary strategy. This team typically centers around starter Christian McCaffrey, pushing everyone else to pass him the ball to score as often as possible.

Based on this, this playbook utilizes complex routes through the middle of the field, with running backs moving quickly before the snap to break open the opposing zone defense with passes.

So, if you want to use this 49ers playbook, you must ensure your running backs are skilled enough to handle the ball and catch it easily.

Custom Playbook

The above are recommended playbooks that you can use directly in-game. However, if you're an experienced Madden NFL 26 player who enjoys exploring on your own, you can also create your own custom playbook by following these steps:

1. Find Creation Center on the main menu.
2. Select an existing playbook as a template.
3. Add any plays and formations you want from the playbook, making sure to keep at least one play for every situation.
4. Build formations and concepts to maximize the use of your talented players.
5. Complete your playbook customization.

You can always adjust your playbook as needed, but to minimize the hassle of making changes, it's best to start with a good starting point.

These are the formations detailed for several recommended Madden NFL 26 offensive playbooks, along with tips on how to customize playbooks. We hope they'll help you score more points in your games!

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Previous: Madden NFL 26 S-C Tier Teams Rebuilding In Franchise Mode: Which Team Can You Lead To Glory?

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Madden NFL 26 S-C Tier Teams Rebuilding In Franchise Mode: Which Team Can You Lead To Glory?

Franchise Mode is a Madden NFL feature where players manage their own team, taking on everything from coaching upgrades and game planning to media interactions and team morale building. This allows you to deeply participate in the complete process of rebuilding a franchise and experience the legendary journey of leading a rookie team to a world championship.

Before embarking on Franchise Mode, choosing the right team is crucial. After all, the experience of reviving a lesser-known franchise is completely different from the experience of leading a championship team to its former glory.

Some players prefer to pursue advanced strategies with elite teams, while others prefer to help an average team reach glory. If you're wondering which team will offer the perfect challenge for you, we've got the answer!

We've listed C-S tier teams by rebuilding difficulty, allowing you to choose the one that suits your playstyle!

C-Tier

Let's first take a look at the C-tier teams, which are absolutely nightmare-level rebuilding challenges. These three teams require the most Madden 26 coins and effort and will definitely present a real challenge in Franchise Mode.

Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns are the most challenging team to rebuild in Madden NFL 26, simply because they've struggled incredibly year after year. This season is no exception.

Of course, Deshaun Watson's massive contract makes it even more difficult to field a competitive roster. Beyond that, I'm sure 99.9% of people don't even want him in the starting lineup, partly because of his poor play and other obvious reasons.

Then there are the other quarterbacks: Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Honestly, none of these guys can get you to Super Bowl in two years. However, you still have Myles Garrett on the defensive line.

Additionally, Denzel Ward is here, and hopefully he can bounce back strongly after his injury in 2024. Realistically, the Browns should be truly rebuilding for at least the next few seasons. But in Madden 26, you never know what's going to happen, and you might even be able to completely turn a dangerous situation around in a single year.

New England Patriots

New England Patriots are also rebuilding in the shadow of greatness. Honestly, things have been tough for the Patriots since Brady's departure. Last season's record wasn't much of a leap forward, but with head coach Jerod Mayo replaced by Mike Vrabel, there's a glimmer of hope.

Also, despite Drake Maye's inconsistent performance last year, he's a very promising player. Shaping his career should be a fun and long-term challenge.

Finally, New England Patriots now have a true top-tier wide receiver in Stefon Diggs. Of course, we'll have to see how he performs in the postseason, but he should be a solid target come May.

Luckily, the Patriots have a generous salary cap, which means you can invest Madden NFL 26 coins in players and adjust the roster as you please. Having immense financial flexibility is a dream for any rebuilder.

Tennessee Titans

Next up are Tennessee Titans. The biggest draw for rebuilding this team is the top prospect in the 2025 draft, Cam Ward. However, aside from a few truly impactful players like Jeffery Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat on the defensive line, and Calvin Ridley, there's not much to get excited about at first glance.

Titans still have some game-changing players, but they're few and far between. That said, they appear to be building a strong offensive line to support their new quarterback, and they have plenty of cap space.

So, if Cam Ward succeeds, this could be an intriguing, multi-season project with real long-term potential.

B-Tier

Next up are the B-tier teams that are looking for a challenge but hold more promise. These teams have a solid core and just need the right builder to put it all together.

New York Jets

Rebuilding New York Jets has become something of an annual tradition in Madden franchise. Whether it's filled with unrealistic hype, as it once was, or completely hopeless, this team always makes the list.

Despite this year's solid roster, the road to rebuilding New York Jets remains long.

Justin Fields is an enormous question mark, but he's also incredibly fun to use in Madden 26. His speed and athleticism can create highlights, but also frustrate you with missed throws. Fields will either become your future MVP or completely flop. Either way, it's an interesting challenge.

Beyond Fields, New York Jets have plenty of talent: Garrett Wilson, Sauce Gardner, and Quinnen Williams could all play a dominant role up front.

New York Giants

New York Giants have real championship potential. Offensively, Malik Nabers looks promising, and rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. could be a surprise.

But the quarterback situation is complicated. You have two expensive veterans in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. Should you bench rookie Jaxson Dart or start him from the start? You have a decision to make, and none are easy.

Wilson's age is a concern, and with limited future cap space, you have to consider that several players are up for renewal. This team won't get boring anytime soon and will challenge you every step of the way.

A-Tier

Next, let's take a look at several A-Tier championship contenders. If you want to go all-in within a few seasons, these teams are on the verge of contention, and some could even become championship favorites with just a few minor adjustments.

Minnesota Vikings

Last year, Vikings made it all the way to the final round of the regular season thanks to Sam Darnold, only to be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

This year feels different. With Darnold gone, J.J. McCarthy is stepping up. But it's still unclear whether McCarthy can perform at a high enough level to lead this team to the playoffs. Even if he can be like Carter O'Donnell, McCarthy is still essentially a rookie.

Despite this, there's still much to like about Vikings. They have Justin Jefferson ready to initiate the offense at any moment. And alongside him, Jordan Addison creates a formidable receiving duo. Strengthening both sides of the trenches makes this a well-rounded team, save for the quarterback issue. This is what makes this team so interesting in the short term.

However, Minnesota Vikings' cap sheet will be a challenge in the coming seasons. So, you must plan wisely, or you'll miss out on a championship opportunity.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a real chance to succeed, but their core is aging rapidly. Despite this, rebuilding this team remains one of the most intriguing challenges in MUT 26.

If nothing else, keeping Mike Evans' receiving record is worth a season or two of trying. Yes, the stats might not matter to everyone, but chasing the records of Jerry Rice and Mike Evans is the pinnacle of Madden NFL fun.

Buccaneers have a strong roster with experience that can beat anyone, but they can also lose to anyone if they're not playing well.

Overall, this team currently has enough talent to make a playoff run, but if the veterans falter, the team may need to rebuild quickly, but the potential is still huge.

S-Tier

Finally, let's look at some S-tier powerhouses. These are teams you can win right now. No rebuilding, no patience, just sheer dominance to get you to the top. But even these rosters face their own unique challenges.

Detroit Lions

First up, Detroit Lions. They have everything except time. If you only want to play for a season or two, the Lions are a perfect choice, with a deep roster, especially on offense. If you want to run the ball, there's Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Or if you prefer the pass game? There's Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta.

Defensively, even after last year's struggles, this team still looks like a formidable force. Not only do you have Aidan Hutchinson, Kerby Joseph, and Brian Branch, but you also have a ton of other talented players. While keeping the core players in shape after two seasons might be difficult, this team is excellent for short-term players.

Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens are strong on both ends of the court. Of course, the star attraction here is Lamar Jackson. Are you the one who ultimately helps him win a Super Bowl?

Behind Lamar, Derrick Henry continues to thrive. And Zay Flowers, Rashid Bateman, Mark Andrews, and DeAndre Hopkins form a dangerous receiving corps. Their defense might be even better, though.

This team is deep, talented, and well-prepared. But remember, Lamar's contract is about to skyrocket. So, if Madden 26 prioritizes contract management, this team could become a cap nightmare.

Still, if you want to show top-tier performance on the field for a season or two, Ravens are a perfect choice.

Buffalo Bills

Finally, if you're chasing a championship right now, Buffalo Bills are the team you should focus on; they're built to win.

Josh Allen recently won the MVP award and continues to be in excellent form. While this team still didn't make Super Bowl last season, it's time to change that.

While they may lack a top-tier wide receiver, Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman can create opportunities. Furthermore, with a formidable tight end duo of Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid, and James Cook anchoring the backfield, this offense is poised for a burst of action.

It's also worth noting that the Bills' defense is also incredibly solid. So, if you're the type of player who loves playing defense, you're in for a treat.

In this year's Madden 26 Franchise Mode, which team will you lead to Super Bowl and the final standings? Do you enjoy the challenge of helping a team build from scratch, or would you rather play alongside an instant king? It's time to make your choice and start preparing to rebuild your team in-game!
Madden NFL 26 On Nintendo Switch 2: Can The Game Adapt To This New Platform?
To reach as many gamers as possible, most games strive to be available on a wider range of gaming devices once they’ve matured enough to expand their reach and attract more players, such as those who are fans of a particular device.

As the current mainstream AAA sports game members, FC and CFB series have both been available on Nintendo Switch at various times, but another game, Madden NFL, has only recently made any news.

To your surprise, precisely because of this “delay,” the new Madden NFL 26 will be available directly on Switch 2, which only launched in June of this year!

However, you may also be curious about the compatibility between the new platform and the new game. We’ll analyze this for you.

Madden 26 MUT Overview

The game will launch on August 14, 2025, but if you pre-order the MVP bundle or deluxe edition, you’ll not only can play the game in advance through early access, but also enjoy the following additional benefits:

MVP Bundle:
- Madden 26 Deluxe Edition & CFB 26 Deluxe Edition
- 7-Day Early Access
- 4,600 Madden Points and 4,600 College Football Points
- Exclusive in-game items for both Madden 26 and CFB 26
Deluxe Edition:
- Madden NFL 26 Standard Edition
- 4,600 Madden Points
- 3-Day Early Access
- Other in-game items
If you’re also a CUT 26 fan and haven’t gotten it yet, the MVP bundle is the best deal. As for the deluxe edition, is more suitable for exclusive MUT fans - at least it allows you to earn more Madden 26 coins before standard edition owners do.

Madden 26 Key Features And Changes

To make the game more playable than 25, Madden MUT 26 not only adjusts existing mechanics but also adds new content. Not only can you create your own team, but you can also enjoy more single-player gameplay.

Other major changes are expected to include:
- Faster gameplay and match pace.
- The introduction of leaderboard campaigns fosters competition and increases your motivation.
- More seasons, programs, and events, such as Preseason Standouts Program, ensure the game remains robust.
Why Is It Finally Coming To Switch 2?

As the most popular portable gaming device, Switch seems to be best known for offering adventure and management games. However, with the releases of FC 25 and CFB 26, sports games have proven viable on Switch.

With the original Switch gradually becoming outdated in many ways, the newly released Nintendo Switch 2 has undoubtedly been a hot topic among gaming fans in recent months, and Madden 26, the latest sequel in the related series, will soon be a hot topic as well.

Therefore, launching MUT 26 on Switch 2 at this time will not only further boost the buzz surrounding both titles, but also demonstrate through hands-on testing that Switch 2 may offer a superior sports simulation experience.

From a long-term perspective, if Madden 26 and Switch 2 integrate well, their respective companies may collaborate frequently, such as releasing FC 27 and CFB 27 on Switch 2. This will provide both fans of the game and those of Switch with a wider range of gaming options.

Can MUT 26 Adapt To Switch 2?

While sports games may not be as complex as MMORPGs in terms of mechanics, one of their core selling points is the immersive, authentic game experience, which is why PlayStation and Xbox Series have historically been the primary platforms for them.

The advantage of these two platforms is that they require connection to large displays like TVs, resulting in clearer and more realistic graphics and sound effects. In this respect, Switch cannot match them.

However, due to its portability, Switch is already small, so it’s understandable that it can’t compete with PlayStation or Xbox Series. Switch’s focus should be on maintaining as much game content as possible while ensuring smooth operation.

Based on the performance of two other EA Sports games on Switch 1, ensuring MUT 26 runs smoothly on Switch 2 is entirely possible, especially since Switch 2 boasts superior performance.

However, while gaining the portability advantage of Switch 2, you’ll inevitably sacrifice some details, including Madden NFL 26 content that Switch can’t handle. If you can accept this, Switch 2 is a great companion for playing Madden 26.

Opening Up A New Player Base

Most Switch fans likely haven’t been exposed to sports games before due to various limitations, but the integration of Madden NFL 26 with Switch 2 will undoubtedly increase their understanding and interest in the genre.

Conversely, if you already enjoy MUT series or other sports games, you might also be tempted to try them on Switch 2 out of curiosity. This is actually a good thing for everyone.

How To Choose A Platform For Playing Madden 26?

Whether it’s Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC, while the final gaming experience isn’t exactly the same, each has its own unique characteristics, making it impossible to definitively say which is better.

As a player, your job is to consider your specific needs. For the best gaming experience, choose PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S; most people have a PC; and on Switch 2, you can play MUT 26 anywhere, as long as there’s a power source.

The above is our analysis of the situation surrounding Madden NFL 26’s release on Nintendo Switch 2. We hope it’s helpful. Thank you for reading.
Madden NFL 26 Best Rookies: Using Them As Starters Will Get Twice The Result With Half The Effort! - Players Details
It is worth noting that Madden NFL 26, as the latest work of this very famous American football video game, is expected to officially meet with many players on August 15, 2025, and it will add a lot of rookie player cards that have emerged in the current arena for players to use.

If you pay attention to the current draft reports on the real field, you will be amazed that this draft is full of strong players who can be used as starters, which means that there will be a lot of young and potential players in MUT 26 released in August.

And most importantly, they will be suitable for different game styles. Whether you want exciting confrontation or casual training with your friends, you can find corresponding player options in it.

However, since the initial ratings provided by Madden series for some rookie players are very low, this will result in that even if they are starters in the real field, their appearance rate in the game is still not high.

So this guide, based on the current leaked player ratings and draft results, has picked out some rookies that might be worth spending a lot of Madden NFL 26 Coins on and being provided a lot of playing time. If you set them as starters, advancing the game will be very smooth.

1. Travis Hunter (WR/CB)
- Overall Rating: Approximately 79 OVR
With the highest overall rating given to rookies in last year’s MUT 25 being 79, it’s hard to imagine anyone surpassing that number this year. But Travis Hunter, the winner of Heisman and the blue chip prospect in 2025 NFL Draft, is likely to receive the highest overall rating of the new rookies added to the game.

And because this player’s talents are very diverse, he can be a strong wide receiver with super high accuracy and strength to achieve smooth pass receptions, and he has super high defensive ability to be a cornerback to ensure that opponents cannot score.

Although it is not clear how Madden 26 will rate his ability, and it is not clear whether his current Jaguars will give him more opportunities to hone his skills, it is worth affirming that having him as one of your starters will bring you a lot of wins.

2. Ashton Jeanty (RB)
- Overall Rating: Approximately 79 OVR
Since Ashton Jeanty and Travis Hunter are both blue chip prospects in 2025 NFL Draft, it is reasonable to guess that his overall rating should be very similar, roughly in the ranks of elite rookies.

As a very strong running back, Jeanty has very fast movement speed and accuracy in catching the ball, which has turned the situation around in some games where he is currently weak.

Although Raiders team he serves on has not currently focused on this very offensive player in training and games due to its strong defensive capabilities, if your team also happens to focus on offensive capabilities, it will be very necessary to spend MUT 26 Coins to promote the addition of Ashton Jeanty to create surprises for the game.

3. Armand Membou (LT)
- Overall Rating: Approximately 78 OVR
In the current draft, Armand Membou is selected as the top eight players by many fans and players because of his outstanding performance and offensive ability.

So compared with the ratings of players with corresponding rankings in previous games, such as Malik Nabers and JC Latham, it is speculated that Madden NFL 26 may give him a score of 78.

Since Membou’s Left Tackle requires the cooperation of Right Tackle in the relative position to play the best offensive role, before making him your starting player, you may need to find a player as good as Olumuyiwa Fashanu in Jets to make Membou play his maximum potential on one side of the field.

4. Tetairoa McMillan (WR)
- Overall Rating: Approximately 77 OVR
Although Tetairoa McMillan was selected in the top eight of this draft, like Armand Membou, he may have a lower score because he is not a real starter in Panthers.

However, his performance in receiving passes is recognized by the public, even surpassing Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette on the same team. Maybe because of his lack of game experience, the team has no idea of making him play a specific role.

Hopefully, his super high throwing accuracy and speed statistics will make you willing to spend time and energy to let McMillan grow into an excellent defensive player who can stand on his own.

5. Tyler Warren (TE)
- Overall Rating: Approximately 77 OVR
If you want to introduce a versatile player to your team who can protect the quarterback as an offensive player or open the way for the rusher, and can also defend against the invasion of the enemy as a defensive player, then Tyler Warren, who plays as a tight end, will be your best choice.

Not only that, his changeable play style is also very suitable for the task of playing unique positions in the same team, which is also an important reason why players call him the best available player.

In fact, the current player community and social platforms are very dissatisfied with the speculation that he can only have a maximum score of 77, but because Brock Bowers got the same 13th pick last year, MUT 26 can only rate Warren slightly lower than this player who is currently known as the best tight end.

The above are some rookies with high overall ratings that may appear in Madden NFL 26 based on the current draft and on-field performance, as well as their specific information. All players and fans are looking forward to what kind of attributes and statistics the game developers will give to these young players. Let’s wait and see!