Madden NFL 23 is here! This year’s entry promises a few new features to heighten the realism of every snap. With a new skill-based passing mechanic that gives you unprecedented control over where your throws end up, beating teams through the air is more electric than ever.
Franchise Mode is mostly the same offering from previous games, with a couple of minor additions. Player motivations will play a large role in contract negotiations now, meaning you may not need the biggest cash offer to get the star of free agency. Scouting has also received an upgrade, with a greater number available to the player in both the draft process and free agency. Choosing the perfect team to take on a 20-year journey of heartbreak and triumph can be difficult, but there are a select few teams that stand above the rest.
10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (87 OVR)
Tom Brady-led teams are best known for being well-oiled machines. His robotic work effort and age-less body trickle down to every position group, young and old. That routine was put at risk this offseason as Brady retired, and then un-retired shortly after. The Bucs are back at it though and have one of the best teams in Madden NFL 23.
With Brady (97 OVR) at the helm throwing to receivers Chris Godwin (89 OVR) and Mike Evans (92 OVR), the offense will be electric and give you the keys needed to unlock dominance against the CPU. The defense is led by Vita Vea (93 OVR) and Lavonte David (92 OVR), both of whom will stop the opponent's run game with ease and turn great teams one-dimensional.
9 Green Bay Packers (84 OVR)
After another offseason of oddities filled with ayahuasca visions and contract disputes, the Packers are once again poised to be one of the NFL’s top teams now that Aaron Rodgers (96 OVR) is locked into the team long-term. Davante Adams (99 OVR) is the missing piece from last year’s squad, as he was traded to the Oakland Raiders in April. However, Aaron Jones (89 OVR) and A.J. Dillon (80 OVR) are more than capable of picking up the slack on the ground.
On defense, this may be the Packers’ most complete unit in years. Jaire Alexander (94 OVR) and Adrian Amos (88 OVR) will lead the secondary and be the beneficiary of many a distressed quarterback thanks to Rashan Gary (89 OVR) and the pass rush. Don’t let the unproven receivers and lack of cap space scare you, this team is ready to win now. And what could be better than a Super Bowl to begin your franchise journey?
8 Cincinnati Bengals (84 OVR)
While the Bengals shocked the football world by skipping a few years of struggle and making the Super Bowl last year, ask Joe Burrow (90 OVR) and he’ll tell you they’re right on time. The standout QB went nuclear at the end of the year despite atrocious offensive line play and came within just a few plays of a title. The core pieces are back this year and could take a leap. Ja’Marr Chase (87 OVR) and Tee Higgins (83 OVR) form possibly the most dangerous 1-2 punch at receiver in the NFL.
Joe Mixon (93 OVR) continues to be a dangerous option on the ground. To top it off, the offensive line is much improved with the additions of La’el Collins (87 OVR) and Alex Cappa (75 OVR). Jessie Bates III (90 OVR) leads the secondary with help up front from pass rusher Trey Hendrickson (85 OVR). With nearly $40,000,000 in cap space next offseason, you will be able to spend up to put the team over the top and position them as contenders for the next decade.
7 New England Patriots (82 OVR)
The Patriots have played the role of jilted lovers since Tom Brady’s departure in 2020. But hope springs eternal with their 2021 draft pick, Mac Jones (78 OVR). The young signal-caller out of Alabama led the Patriots to a surprise playoff appearance in just his first year on the job. Assisting Jones this year will be new addition DeVante Parker (82 OVR), who will provide a big-bodied end zone threat.
Damien Harris (82 OVR) and Rhamondre Stevenson (73 OVR) return to lead the ground and pound attack. On defense, Matthew Judon (87 OVR) and Devin McCourty (87 OVR) will hope to cause as many turnovers and scoring opportunities as last year. However, the best part about the Patriots in Franchise Mode is the sheer amount of cash they have. Nearly $50,000,000 in cap space next year means you can scrap the whole team and rebuild your image if you want! But with the rock-solid foundation here, going to that extent won't be necessary.
6 Los Angeles Rams (82 OVR)
Thanks to GM Les Snead’s personal vendetta against draft picks, the 2022 Super Bowl champions are stacked. A flurry of draft pick trades and big signings have set the Rams up to contend once again. Matthew Stafford (85 OVR) gets a new weapon in Allen Robinson (82 OVR) to pair with Cooper Kupp (98 OVR), who may be the league’s best wideout.
On the defensive side of the ball, Bobby Wagner (91 OVR) was poached from division rival Seattle and will man the middle for the Rams. As usual, Aaron Donald (99 OVR) will wreak havoc all over the line as one of the few players in the 99-club. The Rams’ cap space is on fire for the foreseeable future, and as previously mentioned, they lack the requisite picks to build in the draft. If a rebuild is your goal, look elsewhere. But for any player ready to win now, the Rams have you covered.
5 Buffalo Bills (82 OVR)
If you’re searching for the league darling to start your franchise with, look no further. The Bills are the trendy Super Bowl pick this year and for good reason. Led by an elite QB in Josh Allen (92 OVR), who can punish opponents on the ground and through the air, this offense is set to catch fire. Stefon Diggs (95 OVR) is the top-rated weapon here and will be open so often you may not even need other receivers.
If you do, Gabriel Davis (80 OVR) is a 50-yard touchdown just waiting to happen. Among many improvements made in the off-season, the Bills’ biggest splash was signing Von Miller (92 OVR) to be the villain of opposing quarterbacks everywhere. With elite talent at the most important positions on the field and all their future draft picks in hand, the Bills are poised to be one of the most exciting teams to play with in Madden 23.
4 Baltimore Ravens (82 OVR)
After a 2021 marred by devastating injury luck, the Ravens are slowly but surely getting healthy. The most important piece, former MVP Lamar Jackson (87 OVR), is once again leading the squad, although his impending contract situation could prove a problem for any Franchise Mode players. J.K Dobbins (81 OVR) joins him in the backfield after missing 2021 with a knee injury and will provide much-needed juice to the Ravens' lethal ground game.
Trading away Marquise Brown may give you pause, but the team still boasts two great pass-catching options in Rashod Bateman (77 OVR) and Mark Andrews (93 OVR). On defense, expect shutdown corner Marlon Humphrey (90 OVR) to come down with plenty of interceptions as the beneficiary of the Calais Campbell-led (87 OVR) pass rush. The Ravens possess $37,000,000 in cap space in 2023 and all of their future draft picks, meaning you can win now and keep it going for years to come.
3 Houston Texans (76 OVR)
The Texans are certainly not an obvious choice when it comes to starting a franchise, but the potential for growth is undeniable. As is, the Texans are a blank canvas. Davis Mills (71 OVR) is serviceable, but not likely to be a long-term answer. However, with four first-round picks in the next two drafts, you will have ample opportunity to find a star signal caller.
Houston also has $47,000,000 in cap space, which will allow you to take advantage of your cheap quarterback to build a contender. Once you do, you’ll have Laremy Tunsil (88 OVR) at left tackle and Brandin Cooks (87 OVR) at wide receiver, giving your rookie quarterback a great foundation to build on.
2 Los Angeles Chargers (82 OVR)
The Chargers’ appeal starts and ends with their superstar QB, Justin Herbert (88 OVR). At just 24 years of age, Herbert has made draft experts and NFL GMs look foolish for doubting him. Every week a new throw is launched from his cannon of an arm that leaves jaws on the floor. His weapons aren’t too shabby either. At wide receiver, Keenan Allen (91 OVR) and Mike Williams (86 OVR) provide a nice blend of clutch possession catches and big plays. At running back, Austin Ekeler (88 OVR) provides more than an outlet for dump-offs as he lines up all over the field.
The Chargers' defense was a weakness last year that ultimately cost them a spot in the playoffs, so they put their resources to good use and fixed it. Khalil Mack (92 OVR) comes to Los Angeles by way of trade and will form a nightmarish duo with Joey Bosa (91 OVR). On the back end, Derwin James Jr. (93 OVR) is among the most versatile players in football and JC Jackson (90 OVR) will make big plays all over the secondary. This team is young, ready to contend, and holds all their future first-round picks. What’s not to like?
1 Philadelphia Eagles (85 OVR)
Despite being without a long-term solution at quarterback, the Eagles are in a fantastic position for the future. Jalen Hurts (74 OVR) returns in his second full year as a starter, in what will amount to an audition for the future. The Eagles hold two first-round picks in the 2023 draft, meaning you will have the ammo to move up and find your quarterback of the future if Hurts isn’t cutting it. Luckily, his surrounding weapons are ready-made for a contender. A.J. Brown (87 OVR) and DeVonta Smith (83 OVR) are young, ascending receivers who can go off at any moment.
The offensive line, led by right tackle Lane Johnson (92 OVR) and center Jason Kelce (90 OVR) is one of the best in the game. With a defensive line led by maulers like Jordan Davis (78 OVR), Fletcher Cox (88 OVR), and Javon Hargrave (82 OVR), you can expect to stop the run and get after the quarterback with ease. When you do, Darius Slay Jr (92 OVR) and James Bradberry (82 OVR) will be waiting to pick off passes and score. Sleep on the Eagles as a top-tier Franchise Mode pick at your own peril.